PATRLR

I shouldn’t be surprised that you’ve resorted to attacking me for pointing out your false narratives and strawman

There's a strawman if ever there was one. Could someone point me to a picture of one of these "shower caddy" that supposedly exist in Encore showers? I'm quite certain mine didn't have one.

But my expectation is the shower is cleaned and disinfected, top to bottom, side to side, 100%. I'm not sure how one misses a couple of items in the shower if in fact it was cleaned top to bottom side to side, 100%. OP said "in the shower". If I found the items sitting on the counter, as if the intent was to throw them away, I'd be more understanding. But if they were in shower and the shower received a thorough cleaning it means the steward moved the items from one location to another in the shower while cleaning - I just don't think that is plausible. Or the steward moved the items into the shower after cleaning it - even more unlikely.

As someone who loves Vibe and generally won't crusie NCL without it, I agree with @BirdTravels here. It's going to be very weather dependent. Late June/July/August you might have some nice sunny/warm days where you would be comfortable in the Vibe. Earlier/later season, not so much. We did not have Vibe for our Bliss Alaska in June 2018. We had nice weather, we probably would have used it, but, as it turns out we didn't really miss it.

I agree with everything you listed as signs a room wasn't cleaned. I happen to also include personal hygiene gear (not 1, but 2 in this case) in the shower as a sign the room isn't cleaned. You mentioned "shower caddy" - I've not stayed in Haven but just looked at a couple videos and I don't see any "shower caddy". if those things were left behind they were right out in the open, presumbably sitting on a shelf or something that should have been getting a deep clean. If anything is a false premise, it's the idea that the steward forgot s/he was doing a deep clean between guests. Exactly, we don't know and that's the problem. Agree on all those points. Especially the items under the bed, behind the couch etc that a few others have mentioned - those are understandable. They still shouldn't happen, but, I get it. Not toiletries in the shower. It's obvious different people (cultures?) have different views on cleanliness. It's all good.

NCL: "Hold my beer...."

Really? I can only assume it is OK with you if they simply didn't clean the bathrooms. It has to be OK with you because if there is a razor and a loofa left behind, there is no way to know that they did clean the bathroom. But that's OK, you can enjoy (or at least not be bothered by) someone else's filth. I'm going to insist my room is cleaned and if that means someone gets fired, so be it.

Exactly. Incompetent (at least with respect to cleaning) is another word that comes to mind.

50% when rooms ready? That's really good compared to my experiences. I'd say maybe 50% before sailaway is more like our experience (assuming a 4-5PM sailaway). Very seldom (if ever?) have we not had them by dinner time (7-8PM). We check in as early as we can, and if we can't checkin early our bags will still have been dropped with the porters early.

I don't know what kind of places you normally stay but a razor and loofa in the shower makes it crystal clear to me that the room (at the very least, the shower) wasn't properly cleaned. That is not "a typical start" in places I stay and I don't consider it a typcial start on any cruise line. I'm not sure exactly how I would handle it, but, I have a feeling nothing less than the hotel manager would be at my room. As someone else stated, I'd be worried about the sheets and to that end I could see myself stripping the bed and dumping it all in the hallway insisting they get me new bedding. Prior passenger's personal effects left in the bathroom is 100% unacceptable.

Pretty sure you can't on CC. They've disabled that feature, unfortunately.

Great Bay is for those who enjoy the crowds and the busy beach party scene. If you are concerned about crowds, then Great Bay may not be for you. What we did was took the water taxis over to Great Bay so we could do a little shopping and then grabbed a cab from there to Divi. We enjoyed Divi, it's quieter and has a restaurant/bar with good food and drinks. I'd recommend it.

I wouldn't count on the schedule as it is today being the same when we get to April 2025. I remember Viva had a similar gap and they ended up adding a 4 or 5 day cruise along with a number of private PR type sailings.

Back in my days of parenting/coaching travel softball, yes, the team did decorate the doors of each player. Typically just a home made sign of sorts in team colors with athlete name and number. Are you sure about that? How do you know they are all unique, do you review all of them when you get on board? I had noticed the sequential aspect on most of the cruise ships I've been on. Still not sure I should trust they are unique. 🙂 Someone has to. Thank you for taking one for the team! More seriously, I haven't looked but it seems like there should already be a rule against leaving your crap all over the ship.

Some have more than others. The umbrellas can be problematic when at sea because of the wind. The larger VIbes that span the width of the ship are easier to find shade in. If you enjoy the spa then it sounds like you made the right choice. For us, we don't like the idea of being inside, so the spa is not attractive.

That statement alone speaks volumes to just how difficult it is for elites to score upgrades. Keep in mind that I only took exception to the "almost always" part of her statement. I don't doubt that she frequently rides up front courtesy of various complimentary instruments, I'm just not aware of anyone, outside of GS, that would claim "almost always". And I doubt Bird is GS because she would have told us.

$329 for 14 days is a great deal. I thought they were up to $269 for 7 mights. Your description of what you enjoy and looking for is about as perfect a match for Vibe as there is. You will love it there! As for fair skinned and not wanting the sun, I know Viva's Vibe had shade either by umbrella or some permanent structures. I assume Prima is the same. We also don't like to be in the sun and we had no problem being comfortable in Viva's Vibe.

You must be incredibly lucky to almost always get upgraded. All one has to do is spend some time in places like FlyerTalk to see how difficult it is to score upgrades, even for the most elite of travellers. Back in my heavy travel days (UA 1K+) doing similar volume as you claim, my upgrade success rate was at best 50% and with credit cards now allowing any old Ma and Pa Kettle elite status, all reports are it's even more difficult. After a few years of minimal biz trave (so no status), last year I managed to make PremPlat on UA/ I've got some flights coming up soon and I have zero expectation of getting an upgrade and I know there will be plenty of 1Ks ahead of me who won't get upgraded either. Unless you are something like Global Services (on UA - but all the major lines have similar), I highly doubt you are almost always getting free upgrades and if you are GS, you are GS because you are likely buying F seats outright.

Really? A decorative bow is stronger than the handle itself? That would have to be the case for the handle to get ripped off - the handle (or its connection to the bag) would have to be the weak link. smh. Do people still use business cards? I know I have some in my desk somewhere, but I haven't carried nor received any in many years. Agreed. And as someone who for years didn't have any hanging tags I was asked to add one many times because my case at the time had a little sleeve on the back for contact information. I seem to recall there used to be a sign somewhere that said all bags had to have a name tag (or something like that).

This is not correct. We are not sun worshippers, yet we consider Vibe mandatory. We enjoy being outside - if one doesn't like being outside, then I would say Vibe is a waste of money.

Absolutely my observation as well.

As that will be before we are on Sky in July, I'll be looking forward to that report. Hoping the newer ship has a better feel for you.

Just be aware that the Vibe is a quieter type of place. There is no pool, so no pool games or DJs spinning records and people dancing and all that party scene. It has hot tubs, no kids so no kids hanging out in the hot tubs, a private bar and dedicated bar servers, private bathrooms (so generally clean), and a consistent crowd that tends to get to know one another, if you want.

As stated, card access. In December, wrist bands were not used on Viva. Previously my experience is that wrist bands didn't need to be worn. They are very good at getting to know who should and shouldn't be there.

Yes!!! Although some try to throw me out of the club when I declare that the Dio/H&H lineup was my favorite. Saw that lineup perform at the Hartford Civic Center, front row - awesome show.