notmyccname

We are sailing NCL for the first time on 11/8 on the Breakaway. We usually sail RCCL. What's everyone think about the Specialty Dining venues? Are they worth the cost compared to just eating in the Main dining room? Do they usually offer reduced prices onboard for booking the specialty restaurants the first day?

 

thanks in advance!

I'm currently on the Breakaway.

La Cuchina (Italian) was only OK. Cagney's the same. Teppanyaki we skipped this time, as we didn't care for it much on the Jewel.

Heard from fellow passengers that Le Bistro was also only OK & quite a few cancelled reservations there.

I do have access to the Haven restaurant, but to be honest, it isn't anything special either.

Come on board, check the menus & ask fellow passengers- as the quality can change from cruise to cruise I would imagine.

Have a great cruise!

Does it bother anyone that ncl hasn't sent an email, or even acknowledged the storm?? It would be nice to hear something from them. Thanks for everyone's comments on the forum, it has been very helpful, it's nice to get some sort of information.

I just wrote them

In fb before about how disappointed I am in them that they haven't said a thing. This is ridiculous leaving tomw and not a soul has been said. I'm pissed. I mean it's tomw!!!!!

Just be aware that you may not know until you actually check in at the port. You may be handed a piece of paper (much like being told of a NORO outbreak & how changes will be made) informing you of a change.

Just as NCL posted a weather alert for the Sky on their main page (left side yellow box) they may post one for the Breakaway too. Unless I viewed an alert directly from their page, I wouldn't believe any thing written on CC & would just go with the flow.

Just keep checking your FB account & the NCL site, but don't let it ruin your vacation.

Hope you have a great time wherever you go.

If we bought an unlimited package for our cabin, can our friends in the next door cabin come into our cabin and use our package too?

You create an account with NCL with a user name/password, so if you give your friends that info, then yes.

Just be aware, the unlimited package is for one device at a time.

One small observation on the NCL site for the cruise on the 4th -you can't view or purchase any excursions for Bermuda as of this morning.

I'm not sure if this is the norm for a cruise leaving in 1 day or not.

That may be a hint.

I wonder why they changed the route.

NJ is currently having a slight nor-easter that is winding down already & the hurricane will be far out into the sea -on Tuesday.

Since the storms are traveling North it seems a bit weird to sail in the same direction.

My friends are on the Breakaway Sunday to Bermuda & will probably be half-way there by the time the hurricane (tropical storm) even reaches the NJ/NY area.

Either way I hope all sailing have a great time & dress warmly.

Copy of the email I received today (July 16) for my October cruise:

Norwegian Cruise Line is adjusting its daily service charges, effective for all sailings that depart on or after August 1, 2015. The new rates are: $13.50 per person per day for any category up to a mini-suite stateroom $15.50 per person per day for any suite category Any guest that has made a booking by July 31, 2015 will have the option of prepaying their service charges at the current rate if done prior to the final payment due date. Guests with existing cruise reservations who have already pre-paid their service charges at the current rate will not be affected. Norwegian's daily service charges make it easy for guests to provide gratuities to key onboard staff who provide superior guest service during the cruise, including their room steward, restaurant servers and behind-the-scenes support staff. Guests who are sailing in Suite categories also receive the services of a concierge, butler and dedicated wait staff. Sincerely, Norwegian Cruise Line®

Didn't they just raise it from $12.00 to $12.95 and from $12.00 to $14.95 for suites/Haven not long ago??

 

I sail in October and haven't received a mailing....although my cruise already includes the DSC as one of the promos.

 

Harriet

Received the exact same email today (July 16) for my October cruise.

Sorry this happened to you. It is disappointing to plan a special celebration only to have it fall apart.

I hope once you arrived back on land that you celebrated your Anniversary again :)

Also, fair warning -because this incident didn't happen to them, many will say you're overreacting.

Ignoring such comments is best.

Has anybody heard from anyone on this cruise or has the ships internet service mysteriously shut down.

Twitter had a lot of posts from people on board -yet not one mentioned Ebola. Many thought they were just stuck beyond Belize. Stuck on what, no one said.

Not sure what people were saying or tweeting after Mexico was cancelled too or what the Captain is telling passengers. It's probably best not to create a panic at sea.

Ah, the balcony! Even some fellow travelers from deck 16 haven suites were amazed at the size of those aft balconies.

 

Balcony...you had me at "Hello"

 

This was one of the best aspects of this suite. We took great pleasure in having some meals served on this spectacular balcony. Our butler was wonderful, and obliged us each time.

 

As we understood it, our balcony was neither the largest or the smallest and ranged in depth from deepest to smallest as 9, 12, 11, 10, 14 & 13. However, I didn't pack a tape measure! Our balcony contained 2 lounges with cushions, 2 deep seating chairs with cushions and side table, dinner table and 4 wicker chairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your post was the one that convinced me that this is the S6 I want to book. Thank you for the pictures both inside & out. Love the overhang on the balcony with shaded areas & the door in the bedroom.

Appreciate you taking the time to take & then post all the pictures.

The steaks and service at Peter Lugar's and Ben Benson's are excellent (and very expensive). However, the atmosphere at both leaves a lot to be desired. Neither is particularly quiet, relaxing, or pleasant. Almost no women dining at Benson's. Definitely not date-night choices. Cagney's has some decent menu choices and is just a more pleasant place to have dinner. In addition, Peter Lugar's refusal to accept credit cards is just plain annoying.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Not a date night choice? Almost no women dine there?

Just within the last month I witnessed actual women dining in Ben Benson's with their husbands/boyfriends or their dates, families with children, senior citizens and groups of friends/family.

Is the restaurant quiet all the time? No, but neither is any restaurant all the time since you have no idea who the other guests will be. Is the steak expensive? Yes. But you get what you pay for.

Peter Lugar likes to be exclusive and therefore only accepts their own credit card. It's nice when you find someone with a low number card, knowing they had it for decades. I don't see the problem with paying cash. Will someone give up the opportunity to experience one of the best meals out there, just because you have to pay in cash?

One of a kind or exclusive steakhouses should be experienced at least once. Only then will you realize that places such as Ruths Chris or Old Homestead are just good places for steak, not exceptional.

Cagney's is good for the price you pay. Simple as that. We didn't go in expecting anything more than a good meal. It was good, so we got our moneys worth.

One of the nights in Cagney's the "atmosphere" wasn't great. Tables near us were loud as the drinks were flowing and others had smaller children who were very fussy and bored. It's happens. Our meal was still good and the only thing we did differently was skip an after dinner drink in order to find a quieter bar. Not a big deal. Only once do I remember Peter Lugar being loud, but that was due to a large party we were close to.

The porterhouse blocked it all out when it arrived.

What you are saying about Ruths Chris surprises me. It certainly isn't the same as a few really upscale independently owned steak houses and I, personally, don't think they have the best food I have tasted plus we have had hit or miss service, but we have eaten at them in 4 different cities and they are still considered upscale.

 

Nita

It's not hard to feel this way when you live in or near a city such as NYC where some of the finest steakhouses are located.

I also regard Ruths Chris & Old Homestead as just a step above an Outback or Longhorn. Once they expand to 'chain' status, they become the same and the food suffers in order to provide consistency across the board.

If you ever have the chance to try Peter Lugar, or Ben Bensons you will fully understand the difference. Anyone who lives near a large city should check to see if they are home to a one of a kind type of steakhouse. If you find one, you will never look at Ruths Chris in the same way again.

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to all!

These are some of the best pictures I have ever seen posted here on CC.

Thank you.