karoo

To be fair, Americans tend to have a very strong work ethic. It is rare for most to take more than a week off at a time, even if they have enough vacation days. I’m playing tourist this weekend in my backyard, watched the Gem sail off from the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty yesterday, off to the 9/11 museum and freedom tower today.

Yes- I have to admit I live in the lucky country with better working conditions and vacation time. 4-6 weeks is normal plus we also get long service leave. Our workers are also paid well. I was horrified the other day to read on - not sure which site or forum, about a person who had booked a cruise as they had it in writing that leave had been approved only for the boss to say - no you can’t have leave after all as we will be busy and you are needed here. That would not happen in my country as that would be breaching fair work conditions. I guess we have to thank being part of the Commonwealth and our Unions (not always a blessing) as they ensure our workers have good working conditions and fair pay. Yes - land wise our country is almost the same size as the US, but most of us want to see and experience different cultures and luckily we have the opportunity to do so. At the moment I envy all the posts I am seeing of many of my friends and acquaintances who are enjoying Summer in different parts of Europe. Mind you I have done 5 cruises already this year, 4 on the Jewel- all NCL to NZ, China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam the Baltics and only got home after staying in Copenhagen, then Scotland for 2 weeks last month, but Summer in Europe to us Aussies is special.

PS - being an Aussie I’m also not a soccer fan and find the low scoring a little tedious, but the World Cup is special. I love it. Here we have so many different ethnic groups there are celebrations galore as there is always one culture that’s winning. I was also in Germany/Berlin when they won the World Cup and I remember getting caught up in the Euphoria of it all. The 7-1 defeat of Brazil is etched in my memory- Summer- screens on every street- going crazy every time a goal was scored- the atmosphere was just electric. So nobody can tell me soccer and the World Cup is boring. I also feel sorry for Keith who doesn’t feel proud to be from the UK, being proud and not feeling patriotic about your country must be so sad. After all - at the end of the day I believe Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz- ‘there is no place like home.’ Yes I love travel and have seen so many great places and cultures, but at the end of the day- there is no place like home!!!!! But I do also have to confess - when drinking Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand has the best world wide- just ensure it’s from the Marlborough Region. Although we have the best reds (Coonawarra region). Italian and Spanish wine is pretty good too! Malbec and Chilean wine- rougher and headache material-sulphates too high- all to do with the soil. Trust me - I’ve sampled lots.

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My Sister and Brother in law were never really interested in cruises and I felt that they would enjoy cruising.

What I did was when we were with them and others I would always talk about my cruises around them with someone other than them that enjoyed cruises as much as I did.

 

Note: They are much older then me so I thought they always needed to give me advice and would reject the idea.

 

I would talk about the cabin, the ship, the Ports, the bars, shows and crew, I made sure the discussion was always positive.

After 3 or 4 times of doing this "not talking to them directly", my Sister started asking me questions about cruises and asked me if I would mind if She and my Brother in law could come on one of the cruises with me.

So they eventually booked one with me, I never directly asked them "it was their idea".

 

When they did booked the first one I then told them some of the negatives about cruising and since then my Sister went on 3 cruises with me and my Brother in law went on that first one.

Now He always brings it up as that was the best trip he has ever been on.

 

We all are again going on another cruise that my Sister set up on the Star on July 22, 2018, and they are more excited for the cruise then I am.

Wow! All sounds a little manipulative.

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I forgot what percentage of US citizens have a passport, regards to Hilary X

Pretty sure most Aussies have passports. We love to travel. It actually astounded me when I just read the low percentage of US citizens with no passport. That means they don’t really travel anywhere - only their own country. [emoji33]

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Thanks for such a thorough review. I am concerned about getting off ina timely fashion in ST. Petersburg. Many on our July 13 sailing are using Alla Tours so I hope there’s is strength in numbers!

Alla tours will wait. I was with SPB tours and they waited until all passengers were off before leaving. They had a large amount of groups/small buses booked. So they just filled the buses and left. No one got left behind. Alla waited too. I was on the May 20th Cruise.

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Most of the ports in NZ had private operators offering tours when you got off. They had stands set up and locals that were very helpful at explaining what was on offer and giving directions etc. We were able to organise tours in every port. All the same as what was on offer through the ship, but much cheaper.

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I personally wouldn’t try to convince them or force them to go if they don’t really want to go as I would stress the whole cruise that they weren’t enjoying themselves and I would be feeling responsible the whole time for their happiness.

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Just a little more info, which may or may not impact you... we recently returned from a Baltics cruise with RCI, which had a two day stay in SPB. We had a private excursion booked with Alla Tours, and on that first day, it took our group close to an hour waiting in the customs and immigration lineup in the terminal to get through those booths on the way out, and almost as long on our way back that late afternoon. The second day we breezed right through both in the morning and the late afternoon. Hopefully your experience will be better, but just in case, be prepared for a VERY long wait of standing in those very long lineups.

 

 

 

 

 

Celine

That’s why NCL decided to do it in groups so passengers didn’t have to stand in long lines as that’s what happened on the first Baltics Cruise of the season. The tour guides wait as they know immigration might take a while. As you are overnighting they don’t have to rush you back on Day 1. Day 2 is quicker because you have already been processed.

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I can tell you why they pull the NZ Sav Blanc because they regularly run out. They seem to run out every cruise I’m on or that’s what the Beverage Manager always tells me as they then tell me it’s a popular wine. I just don’t get why if it’s so popular they don’t stock more. I think it’s because they want us to drink that horrid rough North South Sav Blanc ( their own house brand) that isn’t even a Sav Blanc as it definitely has no fruity tones. I’ve been bringing my own on board lately and paying the corkage. The Matua sells for around $7.50 US here. I even managed to get some in the Duty Free shop in Copenhagen Airport. Congrats on your soccer result.

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I did SPB tours- excellent! You could tip in local money, US or Euros.

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Not sure how it works there but if you have it in writing multiple times discussing booking some thing then they would have to honour it? I’m a people leader, once I approve it, it’s approved and especially when things are booked. This why we have fair work Australia.

Can you not reach out to your HR dept to get advice that this has been approved?

If this ever happened to me I’d take the holdsy and clear my desk.

 

Very unfair for you, hope you seek higher management or HR advice. I’d keep going higher and higher until resolved.

 

Let us know how you get on, fingers and toes!

Yes- I’m Aus too and when I read this I thought to myself-‘how can a boss deny you time off if it is in writing?’ I would definitely be taking this higher, probably to the union. This is definitely a case of ‘unfair working conditions.’ We’re very lucky here, more annual leave as well as long service leave. I feel for the OP as I don’t think it is acceptable what the boss has done. Approving leave, then denying it is just not on.

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On the June 7th sailing it was cold most days. Maybe 2 nice days that people were outside.

 

 

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Weather- who can predict. I was on the May 20th sailing and the weather was perfect. Sunny, warm, no wind, temperatures 20+C. 22, 23 in St Petersburg, Stockholm 24, same with Warnemunde and Helsinki 23. I stayed in Copenhagen for 5 more days and it was around 26-27. I guess we were lucky.

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Venice and Sydney - both easy to get to from the airport and I love the scenic sail in sail out. New York has the Statue of Liberty, but too hectic and both times I cruised out of there embarkation/disembarkation was a nightmare. Same with Miami, especially disembarkation.

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Who did you cruise with

I was on the Norwegian Breakaway.

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I have just returned from a Baltics Cruise and I booked with SPB tours. I chose them as they were the first to respond and guarantee me a place on their two day Deluxe tour. I booked the cruise only 5 days out, so I accepted the first offer. They were very professional and we had an excellent tour guide with earphones for when we were off the bus. She spoke very clear English and gave us so much information. Embarkation through immigration was very staggered as the ship decided we had to do it in groups after the ship’s tours were done. As SPB Tours had around 20 different group tours going out that day they sent us an email saying they would just fill the buses as we got off, and to also disembark with the people you wanted to travel with. This meant we didn’t have to wait for one person from the ship who was late to embark. That suited me as I get priority when disembarking so it meant I was in the first group to leave. I had 13 in my group. Alla only had two groups going on our sailing, so many of them had to wait for their whole group to disembark. Everyone I spoke to with SPB tours were very impressed with how their tour went. We visited everything on the itinerary and also had two sit down lunches. I thought the whole organization and the clockwork precision to get us to all the different venues and in on time was excellent. The only downside was we had a family of three that we constantly had to wait for. Took selfies on the metro instead of keeping to the right, thus blocking early morning commuters. The father also rudely accused the bus driver of stealing his wallet, while the daughter told us all to check our bags as he’d probably stolen ours, which none of us did as at this stage we’d all realised these people were obnoxious. The wife then admitted she had his wallet. No apology given to the bus driver, but this was not the SPB’s fault. These people could be in any given group.

Note- Viator used TJ Tours.

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Having just completed a cruise on the Breakaway where I felt I was living in a giant ash tray and had to avoid so many areas- unfortunately smoke doesn’t behave and invades so many areas- I would definitely choose a smoke free ship. Can’t believe in these enlightened times, where we know the dangers of passive smoke to non smokers they allow this to happen. A smoking casino???? How many countries still allow this??!! I’m not sure, but I know my country doesn’t and other passengers all commented their country and state doesn’t allow it either. NCL - so old fashioned, so I would have to state- YES- I would book a non smoking cruise.

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we always order plain wings with the sauce on the side. you can get two or three sauces and pick the one you like.

Good plan. I don’t like sweet/sugar with savory food and some of the new sauces just taste too sweet with sugar overload.

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On the Jewel they still had the ‘hot’ - my favorite. I never seem to find the exact same sauce with all the new flavorings. Does anyone know what sauce is the same as ‘hot’ with all the new flavorings. I didn’t seem to find it on the Getaway, even though I tried a few. I was so happy they still had ‘hot’ on the Jewel my last cruise.

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Where is the dinner with officers held (we'll be on the Sun)? Is there a special menu? Is wine or an alcohol drink included?

In the MDR (the one with the dress code - no shorts etc) and wine and bottled water either still or gassed is complimentary.

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Le Bistro and Cagneys were great as well as the service. Jewel has the old menus. I enjoyed the duck and the lamb cutlets at Le Bistro. I also like the complimentary salmon mousse, pretty sure we had a second helping. Modernos if you like lots of meat, although the desserts aren’t the best, but one of my fellow diners negotiated the Cagney’s Desserts instead. La Cuccina I probably enjoy more than Modernos. I love the hot bread, although I request butter with it. We went through two loaves amongst three of us. I also enjoyed the Osso Bucco and the Affogato. The service was excellent in Cagneys, Le Bistro and La Cuccina. Service in Modernos is a variety of different waiters all bringing the different meats, so you don’t feel like you get the same attention as one assigned waiter going above and beyond to keep you happy. The cheeses balls are yummy, but it seems to take a while waiting for the different meats. I’ve learnt my lesson and just choose the ones I like. On my last cruise I only had the chicken and lamb at Modernos. I personally would choose Le Cuccina over Modernos, but my dining friends chose Modernos.

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I’m paying in Roubles by CC on the day. I’m assuming it will be just one straight conversion to my CC bank (CommBank) which is $AUS. When I make any overseas purchases my bank always does a straight conversion from the country’s currency I’m in, to Australian. I won’t have any $US dollars as I’m not from the US. Using $US would be two lots of conversion fees. I will have Euros though. They probably quote it in US dollars as that’s what US travelers tend to ask for. I’m happy with quotes in the local currency as I have a Currency Conversion App on my phone. In Europe though I find they tend to quote in Euros more than US in the countries not using Euros.

PS- I don’t think my CC would be able to charge in US unless I was in the US as the only options that come up are local currency or $AUS. I always choose the local currency and let my bank do the conversion. Use a currency converter to work out the US cost in Roubles. If you are using the local currency it should be cheaper as they are not paying conversion fees in the Roubles.

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....when the Jewel returns next season I definitely plan on doing more cruises onboard the Jade.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS but we know what you mean!!

 

Mike

Ha! Ha! Perhaps I should have stated for the Summer Season Down Under! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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OP...You mention the poor service in the pool bar areas...Im wondering if NCL only staff's (1) bartender per busy location to keep the amount of booze served to a minimum (cause everyone has the ultimate booze pkg) ie. if there were (2) bartenders then MORE people will be served MORE booze...costing NCL MORE money....just a thought...

 

 

 

when i was in college the college bars would advertise $1.00 mixed drinks from 9pm till 11pm...the bar was about 30 feet long and guess how many bartenders were working from 9-11pm during the "special"? you guessed it....(1) bartender (who was as slow as molasses)

Most bars have 2-3 bar waiters. Always 3 at busy times. Usually straight after the muster the bars around the pool, the Great Outdoors etc have a lot of people wanting drinks. They also have drink waiters assigned, but hard to keep up with demand. Tip- get a drink from one of the inside bars before going to the pool area straight after muster. After that the passengers seem to disperse to different areas and it then becomes easy, with little to no wait times. I probably spent most time at the bars in Fyzz, Spinnaker and O Sheehan’s or the Great Outdoors during the day and never had a problem. Spinnaker and Fyzz the waiters/waitresses come around and serve you.

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I’ve done 50 days on the Jewel since the Tahiti to Sydney cruise back in November and just completed my 4th cruise last week, April 28th. I have loved every one of the Jewel cruises. I loved the ship, the atmosphere onboard, the itineraries and I found the crew to be friendly, helpful and fun. I had a wonderful time on all 4 cruises. I would go back on the next cruise, May 6th, but going to Seattle is not in my travel plans. I’m looking forward to cruising on the Jade during the Northern Hemisphere Summer season and when the Jewel returns next season I definitely plan on doing more cruises onboard the Jade.

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Delete.

People must have been on a different Jewel from us!!

 

We did 40 days from Honolulu to Sydney last October November and then from Yokohama-Shanghai-Yokohama last month. Am now waiting to rejoin it to go from Yokohama to Seattle.

 

Brilliant officers and staff, couldn't do enough for us to make the trips enjoyable.

Pretty sure I was on the same Jewel as you. I did Papeete to Sydney in November, Auckland to Sydney in February, Hong Kong to Tokyo in March and just got off the Shanghai to Tokyo cruise. I had a wonderful time on all 4 cruises, found the staff very friendly and helpful often going above and beyond to ensure we all had a great cruise. I enjoyed all the different varied ports, the nightly entertainment and met passengers that all seemed to be having a great time. I love the size and the many different public areas on this ship and hope to join the Jewel again on different itineraries when she returns next season.

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