cruiser2015

16 hours ago, poona1 said:

Hey cruisers..I'll be sailing on the Getaway to Bermuda soon. To those who have eaten at the Specialty restaurants, what particular food item was really appetizing given how much ncl has cut back...

 

I have booked Le Bistro and I have 2 more platinum rewards specialty restaurants yet to book so I was wondering which is truly worth it for the taste!!

 

Not too crazy for the meat quality in Moderno and not interested in Teppanyaki as I'm solo...any further recommendations, Thanks!

I agree with other posters that there's no reason to skip Teppanyaki as a solo - there's no sharing between individuals.

Also, I've seen a number of posts saying that the steak there has gone down hill. I had it last month and it was great. I have no comparison to the past cuts used; and, no doubt, the beef could vary from one cruise to the next in quality.

There's also a number of comments on Cagney's talking about decreased beef quality. Maybe so. But we ate there twice recently and had the filet mignon - quite good.

3 hours ago, PATRLR said:

<duplicate>  (I wish we had the ability to delete a post during that short time frame we can edit a post)

You can.

Just delete all of the text and exit the page (maybe after a save button).

11 hours ago, Birdnutty said:

I know - it is kinda trite.  But it's one of the things many of us look forward to, and miss when they are gone.  Having Chocolate ganache is not quite the same, and it's hard to dip that in coffee...

Glad to see they are not gone from everywhere - yet.  For those of us not in the solo lounge, or in the Haven or with a butler, it's more challenging to find things sometimes.  Will be on a concentrated mission when we climb aboard our cruise soon.

That wasn't me - Graphicguy said that.

7 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I know.  I've never had an issue getting cookies.  But, if I did, it really isn't going to cause me to start an entire thread because I couldn't.  

 

Again, there is SO MUCH food on a cruise, that if you bemoan the fact that you can't find cookies, I just have to shake my head.

 

Go get a brownie.  Go get some chocolate ganache.  Go get some crepes.  Cruise ships have dozens of food types in a wealth of venues all over the ship.  I can't for the life of me understand the uproar over anyone not being able to find cookies...or even hash browns for that matter.  There are all sorts of potato dishes available on a cruise ship.  Go get some of those..shred and smash them flat.  Voila!  Home made hash browns.

 

I think I'm going to start packing Pepperidge Farm cookies in my luggage and sell them out of my cabin.  Sounds like a good business model to me. 😉

You didn't start this - but that has not stopped you from participating...😉

As for your suggestions:

On the Bliss a couple of weeks ago:

Ganache - now and then spotted some on a pastry; Crepes - gone the way of the hash browns; brownie - don't think I saw one in 15 days; cookies - oh, you know...

7 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I know.  I've never had an issue getting cookies.  But, if I did, it really isn't going to cause me to start an entire thread because I couldn't.  

 

Again, there is SO MUCH food on a cruise, that if you bemoan the fact that you can't find cookies, I just have to shake my head.

 

Go get a brownie.  Go get some chocolate ganache.  Go get some crepes.  Cruise ships have dozens of food types in a wealth of venues all over the ship.  I can't for the life of me understand the uproar over anyone not being able to find cookies...or even hash browns for that matter.  There are all sorts of potato dishes available on a cruise ship.  Go get some of those..shred and smash them flat.  Voila!  Home made hash browns.

 

I think I'm going to start packing Pepperidge Farm cookies in my luggage and sell them out of my cabin.  Sounds like a good business model to me. 😉

You didn't start this - but that has not stopped you from participating...😉

As for your suggestions:

On the Bliss a couple of weeks ago:

Ganache - now and then spotted some on a pastry; Crepes - gone the way of the hash browns; brownie - don't think I saw one in 15 days; cookies - oh, you know...

21 hours ago, MCMC100 said:

I find this confusing, as I do with many things.  Poster above indicate that points accumulated on prior sailings for minor son were credited after the completion of a cruise age 18 or older. Another poster references a change in the T&C wherein points are credited after the completion of a post 18 cruise.
 

I read the section of the FAQ posted above, which I assume to be accurate, and note that it states points from prior cruises “will be credited to the guest on their first cruise taken after they turn 18.”  It does not say upon completion of the first post 18 cruise. I fully realize that latitude points are awarded upon completion of a cruise for those of us over 18, however, that’s not what this FAQ response says…..It says they will be credited on their first cruise.  Seems to me they’re Platinum (or whatever) on their first cruise, not on their second cruise, after turning 18.  Once again, the devil resides in the details and the NCL proofreaders muddled the process.  If the T&C’s were changed, they should have thought about changing the information provided in the FAQ’s.  Why needlessly confuse and upset your customers?

I agree with your interpretation of how it should work.

I do not agree with what you said about the quote from ColeThortnon - he says credited ON their first cruise over 18 - not AFTER.

If the child had the requisite points before this post-18 cruise, their status is awarded on cruise day #1.

Points FOR this cruise, will be added after the current cruise, as always.

3 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Timestamp....in the video

Ah, yes, perfect!

I had not viewed the video.

1 hour ago, PATRLR said:

I agree that the OL is intended to be full service with staff picking up plates.  However, I believe @cruiser2015 is referring to the area that you see starting around 1:05.  While definitely not intended for piling of dishes, it seems like a reasonable place to put them if you wanted to clean up after yourself and not a clean sanitized food distribution area.

 

Thanks - my point exactly.

I don't know what you meant by the 1:05 reference - the counters I speak of are built in - they are there 24/7.

2 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

there is no picking going on here.

 

i was simply pointing out, as several others have, that - at least up to now - there has been no place to drop plates in the OL. it wasn't built to accommodate that. instead, it has a full service crew that goes about the lounge picking up after guests. that's the way NCL operates its observation lounges.  

 

if you have chosen to designate a place to drop your stuff, it's a testament to how good the crew is that they don't reprimand you, and that they pick your stuff up soon after its dropped. so, too, kudos to the passengers who don't roll their eyes when you attempt to return dirty plates to a relatively clean and sanitized food distribution area.

 

i assure you there is no sarcasm here. i have never seen a "dirty plate drop off" in the observation lounge on any ship. and i said so... and i'm saying so again. i further went on to state that whoever might pick up plates at the "dirty plate drop off" area could surely also go about the lounge and pick up plates scattered hither and yon. that was the full extent of my post.

 

if no "dirty plate drop off" area exists, then indeed it must be imaginary. of course, once you designate a place to drop your stuff, it is no longer imaginary... it's a physical place that you have chosen to drop your stuff. that doesn't mean that NCL has an area to drop used plates, utensils and half eaten food.

 

why is everbody's knickers on cruise critic in such a twist?

You have well stated your position.

However, kindly allow me elaborate, just a tiny bit.

I am certainly not saying there is a designated drop zone or receptacle for a plate drop.

What they do have, at least on the Bliss, is a counter several feet long, roughly 12-15 inches deep.

Sunk into this counter are about 3 stainless steel trash containers spaced several inches apart, with just a rim resting on the counter.

Now, consider there is a trash depository - fairly close to the entrance of the OL. Why would it be there?

Is it not reasonable to drop a plate or a glass on that counter (absolutely not on any food service area ever)? 

Also, why did they create that "trash counter"? It would only be used by passengers departing the OL.Also note that the buffet has absolutely ZERO in the way of trash containers or any drop zone - thus requiring you to leave anything you have used on the tables as the only option. So, there is a slight deviation between the two facilities.

The designated clean-up crew sweep this area along with the rest of the lounge. I'm not even suggesting that everyone should always bring ALL of their leavings up to the front - just that it is a possibility to do it at times.

50 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

assuming that there "is an appropriate spot to dump your stuff" (and i recommend the club balcony cabins for this, as they have a larger bathroom), what do you suppose happens to your stuff - and the plate it is on - once dumped?

 

does it move to the kitchen through astral projection?

 

probably not. i imagine a staff member comes along and picks it up... so, is it inconceivable that the same people who pick up the plates from this imaginary "stuff dump place" might also pick up plates that are scattered about the OL?  

I cant fathom why you're picking on me here for this comment.

I merely was suggesting a "civilized" approach to reducing the clutter in the OL.

While not having extensively eaten in the OL, I myself have left a plate or two on a table.

I also dropped plates and glasses on that counter, especially when I had something on the fly and had not even sat down in the lounge.

More disturbing to me, though, is why you call the place I've described as imaginary.

What, you think I'm a dream-state ship designer?

I appreciate sarcastic humor as much as, or more than the next guy. But your statements here are gratuitously inappropriate.

I've had a great deal of respect for your posts on this board and agree with most of what you've written and admire your extensive cruise knowledge - until now.

10 hours ago, CptJLMcCrea said:

 

You mean that spot where I've never seen a dirty plate, like, ever? The OL is not McDonalds, the last time I was there.

 

So, YOU'VE never seen one - I have.

That's not counted among the others I've seen.

Big piles? No.

But it is an appropriate spot to dump your stuff - not in anyone's way; not scattered about.

The McD reference (perhaps a bad analogy) simply referred to cleaning up after yourself.

2 hours ago, CptJLMcCrea said:

Isn't the removal of plates, glasses, etc. in the OL a staffing issue? I must be missing something here.

 

I wouldn't know where to bring my used plate.

 

How about the spot upfront with the trash receptacles and a bit of counter area surrounding them.

You do it at McDonalds (etc.). No need to leave all of the clutter around a lounging area.

5 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I guess the terms and conditions miss leaded you. 🤡

Yup.

Came up short on those conditions.

14 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

Latitudes page FAQ section:

 

How and when can I enroll in Latitudes Rewards?

 

To make it easy for you to receive special loyalty offers, onboard benefits and Norwegian Cruise Line news, we enroll all guests who have cruised with us and who are at least 18 years of age in our Latitudes Rewards program. No action is required on your part; your membership and rewards in this exclusive program are automatic, no membership card is needed. Cruises taken as a minor will be credited to the guest on their first cruise taken after they turn 18 years of age.

Got it.

Silly me, I only checked the T&C page.

13 hours ago, HeroG said:

You are not entitled to latitude points till you are 18, at which point apparently you will be credited with all of the points you have accumulated.  So when my son turns 18 he will ´apparently’ be platinum 

Interesting.

I did not see any reference to that on the NCL Latitudes page.

3 hours ago, HeroG said:

Hi does anyone know if I am allowed to share my Free At Sea and Platinum Specialty dinners with my 16 year old son,? who btw should also be platinum but is not of age yet?

Why does your son not have his own platinum?

If he sailed all of those cruises, they should have given him the credits.

I'm not aware of any age requirement.

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Speaking of which, it seems NCL only does chocolate chip (both dark and white) for free...or, at least those are the only ones I've found.  They have others in Cocos, The Bake Shop and Dolce Gelato...they charge for those, however.

The Club Balcony plate we received last month had 4 cookies - and 4 varieties.

Choc, chip, oatmeal raisin, chocolate & plain.

22 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

Nobody has said that it was free, correct? Especially since you have to buy a cruise to get it.

 

The misleading "really a gratuity, or whether it's the real cost" doesn't seem so irrelevant considering how many times you've mentioned it.

 

Think of it more like a surcharge to those who accept that part of the Free @ Sea promotion. The "real cost", fwiw, is actually baked into the cruise fare that everyone pays...whether you take the drink package or not. So even if you pass on the package, you'll still subsidize it as part of the fare. There is no free lunch. Do you really think a cruise line could make a profit or stay in business if they really gave drinks, specialty dining, wifi, and excursions away for "free"?

Sure they can - and do.

There are luxury level lines that include all you mention in their cruise fare.

It's all a numbers game. Obviously, if every user of the FAS package slugged down 15+ shots per day, NCL's price would go up - or they would drop the program as it is currently set up. The money has to come from somewhere.

On 2/17/2024 at 10:35 PM, LloydJr said:

So, it is free??

Sure it's free:

FREE*

46 minutes ago, mchelle77 said:

We've been on the Breakaway 2-3 times but I can't remember if there's a freezer in the in-cabin fridge? My daughter gets migraines and keeps an ice pack with her when she travels, but we're wondering if she'll even be able to freeze it in the room. What would her options be?

Get an ice bucket.

Keep the pack(s) in the ice bucket inside the fridge. That will maximize the time that the freeze will last.

The steward will refill the bucket daily. If you ask, possibly he will do it twice.

Aside from that, you can replenish the ice as you like by getting it at the buffet.

52 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

You know, I'm betting the room attendants are really glad the towel animals are gone. 

Ooh - sounds like another attack on the environment...

Save the towel animals!

56 minutes ago, Shoequeen said:

While we have a large number of cruises under our belts, NCL has not been our preferred line.  We are now booked on the Breakaway and have some newbie questions.

Have shorts become acceptable for men in the dining room?  We’ve noticed on other lines thst things are becoming extremely casual and many men are wearing shorts.

Can we carry on a case of water?

Can we each carry on a bottle of wine if we don’t have a drink package?

Thanks!

Just cruised last month.

I brought 2 empty 1/2 liter bottles onboard.

You can fill them at the buffet dispenser (using a plastic glass to transfer the liquid) or fill from your cabin sink tap (I did mostly at the buffet but a few times in the cabin.

The water is fine - probably more pure than most bottled stuff on the market.

2 hours ago, yakcruiser said:

Darn you people who mentioned Crumbl cookies! I had to go to their website and find out if they had one close to me and lo and behold there is one in my small burg that I wasn't aware of. Now I will have to go there tomorrow and buy one of each to do a taste comparison and when I gain 25 lbs. it will be the fault of you fine folks on Cruise Critic.

Apologies.

They just opened a new shop close to me.

The chocolate lava is crazy good - unless it's rotate out already. Not sure what day they change the menu.

3 hours ago, Barb Nahoumi said:

I ask them to serve me both halves of the bagel.  They are so tiny.

Just a bit surprised they only gave you a half - I assume in the MDR.

At the buffet, you automatically get the whole one.

They are not bagel shop size, but not bad (a whole one). Slightly bigger than the English muffins.

4 hours ago, ihate2cruise said:

What some folks seem to assume on these boards,  is that every person who has ever cruised has posted their experiences here. Manny more don’t post then do.
So much skepticism….<THIS is exactly why (IMO) more people don’t post more about their positive experiences, because the self proclaimed “truth police”  come in and question your integrity.

I posted OUR experiences, take it or leave it. It’s obviously, not been yours.

I will continue to book what we are satisfied with and bid the “minimum” and expect nothing, but feel blessed when I receive the Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner email 😉

 

 

Point taken.