PATRLR

Why the do it that way, I don't know. But, I'll bet they assume that the two people in the cabin are familiar with each other enough to be able to work it out.

@skynight thank you for your response. Sounds like there are a few venues that fall somewhere between free and Specialty Dining. If I don't have Plus or Premier, I'd have to pay to eat there. Right? Would these be something on menus in dining rooms, e.g. you can get the apple pie for free, but the super-duper hot fudge sundae is "premium" so need to pay? Or are these in separate venues, sort of like Coco's on NCL which has milkshakes, sundaes and other premium treats for a charge?

I too am likely about to be new to Princess. I have a lot of NCL/RCCL/CCL in my past (and others), most recently mostly NCL. We're now considering the Sky Princess for the July 13 2024 Norwegian Fjords cruise. This thread has been helpful. In the Princess Plus/Premier offers, can someone help me understand what the "Premium Deserts" typically are, what the "Casual Dining Meals" are and what the Ocean Now delivery is? I assume the Specialty Dining Meals are similar to NCL and RCCL's specialty dining (better quality dining experiences). Thanks in advance.

Of course there will always be extenuating circumstances. My comments were more directed to Bird's over-generalization.

I'll start. On our recent Viva cruise, we found nearly nothing in the MDR that was decent enough to order again. To the point where the first time in our cruising history we decided to try the buffet for dinner (not good either). I sure hope Haven folks have better quality food than the MDR in which case you aren't going to want anything that comes from the MDR.

It's not everyone, in my observation. What I have observed is the condescension is typically just directed to people who criticize NCL.

If I paid extra for a feature, hot tub or otherwise, and then found out the feature I was paying extra for wasn't going to be included in what I paid for, I know I would cancel and book something didn't include the feature. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't cancel and rebook something that didn't include the feature they were paying extra for.

Just worked fine for me.

There are also groups specific to NCL excursions on the other popular social media sites. A group called "NCL Excursion Reviews" I've found to be useful.

OP was talking about embarking from Aruba and disembarking at Curacao. I'm pretty sure hurricanes are rare in the ABCs. Regardless however, there could be any myriad of other reason to skip a port. Ports are not guaranteed. If OP can put this together, I hope they have a plan B in the event they miss Curacao (or wherever they decide to disembark).

We went to Vigie Beach on Dec 18. We found a beach that looked quite different from the photos posted above. First, it was very narrow. Most of the loungers were actually set up under the trees with a 12-18" step down to a more sandy surface where the highest waves were breaking. Even further down to the left (as looking at the water) where there were less people, the beach was nowhere near that wide. The whole place is very primative. The drink/food establishments are a series of shacks that appeared to me to be very similar to hawker stalls you might find in Asia, but not as clean/sanitary. The bathrooms were NOT available (told there was no water). We got drinks only from a guy working out of the back of his truck (reasonable and reliable). I think if we visit St Lucia again, it might be a good place to do a catamaran or other excursion out on the water.

Following up on this question. We went to Divi Little Bay. We took a taxi from Philipsburg (water taxi to Philipsburg first for some quick shopping) $5pp, about a 10 minute ride. Beach was very nice, definitely not at all crowded. $15 for two loungers and an umbrella. Easy access to their beach side bar and grille. Clean restrooms available. My wife walked around the resort and said it was very nice. We had lunch at the grille, we both had burgers which actually were pretty good (better than the ones we were getting on ship, but that's another story). Picture of menu included. The pictures from the beach are later in the afternoon, but, even mid day, the beach wasn't much more crowded than that.

It's an over opinionated insult is what I have learned after reading so many of PORT ROYAL's posts.

We were at Divi Little Bay Dec 20 and I don't recall any vendors walking around. There may have been one or two but obviously no impact to me because I don't remember them. A polite "no thanks" typically keeps them moving along and not bothering you.

I honestly don't think that was mentioned at any time. I'm sure you scoured the Dailies, that's where it would be. I also think the whole picture taking thing has morphed into every night they are set up somewhere, just stop by and talk to them and I'm sure they will be happy to accommodate.

It's a great excursion. I hope you manage to get on it, eventually.

I suppose one needs to distinguish between available to book and likely to actually happen.

If you haven't done so, use the search tool and search for Celebrity in titles. There have been a couple decent threads here comparing NCL and Celebrity.

My experience is, it does not work. Various group texts I belong to, I couldn't use while on the cruise because one or more people in the group were non-iPhone - so no one would get the message. But other than that, anyone using iMessage I was able to communicate with, on or off the ship.

Observation Lounge on Encore will be your go to spot. Even if they have some entertainment or event I’m pretty sure you can find a spot that is far enough away. The lounge is huge. I believe Vibe is open till 10 but if it’s only night time solitude you desire I think vibe would be a waste.

Agreed. 1:40, if I remember correctly.

Not that it's necessary, but what the heck: I concur with RocketMan275, I've had exactly that experience.

Because I see the question asked frequently, on the Dec 15 Viva, the NFL games they were showing were always shown in The Local and on Channel 18 in your stateroom. They were sometimes shown on the pool deck. The funny thing was the one time I went up to the pool deck to see a game, the game was on the screen but the only place to sit was on the other side of the pool at the bar. It was as if the pool deck staff didn't get the memo they were showing NFL out there that evening. There is a heck of a lot said in that one sentence.

Just got off the Viva and agree on all points. That piece of shoe leather in the MDR they call NY Strip is a joke and it amazes me when people claim it to be a good steak or that they really liked it (I assume anyone making that claim is simply impressed with the over-salted gravy they drown it in). Cagney's steak has sunk to the level of an Outback Steakhouse, but at least at Outback the steak is properly prepared, just low quality. It's possible that Cagney's is also using low quality but they claim it's CAB and unless they are totaling ripping off the CAB name, it should be decent quality. (And yes, I get that CAB is 100% marketing, but, generally they do have somewhat better quality beef, IME). I believe ColdCruise is onto the problem here. The ribeyes we had on Viva matched this description, correct temp but dry.

I just got off Viva (12/15 cruise) and it was on the menu.