graphicguy

Usually don’t dine in the MDR. Did so On my Bliss cruise a few weeks ago, it was quite good. Would drop by Garden Cafe for a burger or hot dog..also very good. Someone mentioned the Prime Rib in the buffet being good, too!

Thanks! Now we know!

Celebrity head and shoulders better than NCL? I don’t know about that. Some things they’re better at, some things they aren’t. Celebrity’s new ships are gorgeous. Their entertainment, not bad, but nowhere near what NCL has. Already did a compare and contrast, so won’t repeat myself. As always, it depends on what you’re looking for.

There ‘ya go. To this day, I don’t recall ever being concerned over my mode of dress, regardless of what I was doing, on or off the ship. I don’t smell. I’m not a slob. My clothes are clean. This alleviates the need for multiple outfits. Granted, using the laundry service NCL provides is great. But, the want of not dragging around heaps of luggage to and from the ship, being able to unpack in less than 3 minutes, being able to disembark and go straight through the baggage holding areas, all trump and desire I would have to load up big luggage piles.

Brilliant idea!

Next time you’re ordering a drink on board, tip the bartender/waitstaff that extra $5 and tell them it’s courtesy of extra Excursion credit. That way you won’t feel badly about not using the entire $50 excursion credit.

The way I see it, too. They can serve non-alcoholic beverages, but not alcohol. Some sort of restrictions Southampton is putting on NCL. Not sure why. But, dividing up what specific ships/cruise lines can and can't serve on the ship is an over reach. But, there we have it.

I don’t know, then. I do know that my latest Alaska, Canada, Caribbean cruises on NCL allowed alcohol consumption when in port. So, if it’s only EU ports, I’m thinking it must have to do with some restrictions with the ports involved. Maybe some sort of restrictions between NCl and the European ports? NCL makes mention of local restrictions. So, that seems the most logical. Maybe the EU allows P&O alcohol because of their mostly European focused itineraries? Again, just guessing.

Thanks so much. Great review. Loved following along!

Chicken Piccata is good, too!

Must be some sort of reg or agreement with the local port authorities. We don’t have those sorts of restrictions in U.S., Mexico or Caribbean ports.

I've been eyeballing Haven cabins on ANY of the Away+ ships. They're steep. But, I'm bound and determined to find a "deal" eventually.

I think we've posted about some of this before. But, someone gave me Jefferson's Reserve Aged on Ship as a gift. Allegedly, the gentle rocking of the ship along with the salt air makes it taste. better. I know it was not a cheap bottle, and I'm always appreciative, there is no way that tasted any better (or any differently) than regular Jefferson Reserve! When I go out to dinner and order wine, the sommelier always tells me what would taste good. I follow their recommendations, normally. When they bring it and pour a bit to taste, I always approve. If it doesn't taste or smell like vinegar, had bad can it possible be? I hang with as many Franzia crowd people as I do Vieuve people. They are the same to me (both the people and the wine). LOL! BTW...I like Basil Hayden neat, also. Ordinarily, I take me bourbon on the rocks, though. Vodka is usually mixed with something else. So, brands really lose their alleged distinctiveness when you mix them.

Bless you! Yeah….Vodka is vodka…..I actually like Titos. But, I’m not a vodka aficionado. And, I understand Tito’s is a “cheap” vodka. Bourbons? Buffalo Trace is my “go to”, but if not available, 1792 works. And, that’s not expensive, either. But, I’ve been known to drink Basil Hayden, too. Wines? Champagnes? I know they are either red, white, pink. That’s the extent of it. You could pour me a “Veuve” and I’d probably chug it without giving it a 2nd thought. Beers? Not an IPA guy. I go to my old college standby over and over….Rolling Rock. Barring that? I’ve just been inducted into 🐀. So, I’m committed to Blue Moon, as part of my initiation. As in life, one has to be flexible….particularly with 1st world issues. One liquor over another won’t have one iota of affect on whether I enjoy my cruise.

Not sure where you’re coming from, but I’ve sailed NCL’s Haven several times. I’ve also sailed MSC’s Yacht Club and Celebrity’s Retreat. NCL’s Haven is their top tier cruise offering. But, it varies from ship to ship. On the Jewel class ships, it’s little more than a very small pool area with no Haven Restaurant, but with a concierge and a butler. To me, not worth the price premium when you can get nearly all of that in a regular suite for much less. On the Epic, -Away and -Away plus ships, it’s a very nice experience. Those would include Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Joy, Bliss, Viva, Prima, Encore, Escape. As mentioned, you’ll get a Concierge, who will take care of booking your dining, entertainment, excursions, priority escort on and off the ship, resolve billing issues, and sometimes even resolve internet issues. The Butler will act as your in cabin dining server/room service, will bring snacks every day and replenish your coffee/tea. You’ll also have a dedicated restaurant to dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant rivals the Specialty Dining restaurants on board, but has a static menu that doesn’t change throughout the cruise. Then, there’s the Haven Bar. You’ll have access to the best mixologists on the ship in the Haven area where it’s easy to find a seat, either at the bar or on one of the chairs or sofas in the area. There’s a private pool area, although the pool is small. On some ships, there’s even a private area for massages. Service is top notch in the Haven and only available to those with a key card to enter. Not all Haven cabins are in the Haven proper. No issue for me. But, some find having to walk to the Haven Bar/Restaurant untenable. The rest of the ship? Great entertainment, throughout. Very Nice ships that are very clean. Service is quite good throughout.

Amen to that!

You have to take these kinds of reports with a grain of salt. I think most of this stems from someone on one of the ships, stating they couldn’t get this or that liquor, wine or beer, and all of a sudden it’s a tragedy that’s happening all over the place with all cruise lines sailing everywhere. The only rumors about drinks that turned out to be true was when NCL switched from Coke to Pepsi and back to Coke. The other one was from @JamieLogical when she reported that Baileys was getting the “Premium” designation. Personally, I think it ends up being just a pass through charge from the distributors to the cruise lines. Or, availability issues. But, even there, it’s not hard and fast. I can’t for the life of me find Buffalo Trace bourbon at home. And, I live 2 hours from their distillery. But, on a cruise ship? It’s every where….as easy to find as an art sale on board. NCL may be changing liquor distributors. They may be trying to cull some of the inventory of liquors they’re stocking. Or, most likely, it’s much ado about nothing.

You know….in all frankness, I don’t know. I saw the bottles. But, I’m not a wine person. So who was or wasn’t drinking it I really didn’t notice.

Come to think of it , I didn’t see any Belvedere! Then again, I think the vodka drinks I had were limited to Screwdrivers, Bloody Marys and an “Apply-tini” , done as a suggestion by one of the bar patrons. Zandy took good care of us, for sure!

Not a wine/champagne fan, but saw plenty of the Vieuve bottles around. I’m a Buffalo Trace person personally. Often wondered how that Sinatra Jack stacks up to Black Label?

Couple of different thoughts. But, I shop cruises and cruise lines. If one upsets me, they lose my business (at least for a couple of cruises). If you don't like the product, leave...as my late Father used to say....."You're not a tree". But, every time I see a post here about what someone wants, I can't help think to myself...."there's no one here who can help you". Fill out the survey when you return. To me, that's the surest way to at least have some sway in how ANY cruise line behaves. Telling us isn't going to help. Further, the pier staff is a mix of cruise line employees, immigration staff, contractors and Pier employees. If you're going to indict one, you have to indict all for any issues, not just the cruise line.

The one I linked is the one they used for my Bliss cruise 2 weeks ago. So, sounds like they are offering Grey Goose and Veuve even though it's May. No one on my cruise at any of the bars knew of any changes to the liquor choices except they didn't have any Bailey's, which they said they hadn't had for a while.

Love this. I can’t believe you made me peruse Bermuda cruises….for 2023 no less!

Have sailed Solstice (albeit, many years ago) the Edge and Apex. Balcony cabins to the Retreat. Have sailed over a dozen NCL ships from the SS Norway (right before it blew up) to the Breakaway Plus Class ships)….Solo Cabins to the Haven. Capt Kate really made the EDGE a wonderful cruise. First and only time I’ve ever said that about the Captain on ANY ship, on any cruise line. Edge Class ships are beautiful. Food is comparable to NCL. More (and better) art work on Celebrity. Plus, they have a wonderful live plant sculptures throughout the ships. You won’t find any rock walls or race tracks. And, they tend to become a ghost town after 10:00 p.m. Service is comparable to NCL. My “go to” place on the EDGE class was the Magic Carpet….great venue to be outdoors, mingle with friends with cocktails. Entertainment is on the smaller side, with more single/duo groups performing throughout. NCL’s deserved claim to fame is their entertainment. The main shows are Broadway and Vegas caliber….literally. I’ve seen Million Dollar Quartet, Blue Man Group, Six, Choir of Man, Rock of Ages, and probably one or two more that escape me. All were great. Easy to get seats in those. Even the smaller shows like Beatles and the Fleetwood Mac tribute bands are so good, and so popular, you do indeed have to line up 30+ minutes to see them. They are really that good. On the larger NCL ships, they tend to have more Specialty dining restaurants, which are included in their Free at Sea package, as is the drink package (the lowest rung works fine for me as I’m able to find something I like on it, as it’s extensive). Service is comparable on both, but NCL does have venues for kids that Celebrity does not. If you choose your dates wisely, you’ll miss most of the kids on your sailing (stay away from Holiday school breaks and most summer sailings that fall when school is out). NCL’s “go to” venue for me is the Observation Lounge…a 270º+ view, windowed area with seats, couches, a bar, and snacks. Again, great place to hang with friends and family. Energy level is higher on NCL than Celebrity. All have clean, well kept ships. All sail similar itineraries. A shared stop at one port is going to be the similar on either line. If you want lots to do with great entertainment, I’d choose NCL. If you’re looking for a more laid back type of cruise, Celebrity is your line.

The rumors of specific liquors/wines/beers being dropped always makes me wonder how these rumors actually gain traction. I didn’t put much stock in these latest reports. Thanks for confirming they had no traction!