graphicguy

Going from memory, but I think the Continental Breakfast Menu is pretty standard fare…. -coffee -milk -toast -croissants -cereal -yogurt Don’t remember a fee the last time I cruised NCL in a Club Balcony. But, I think I only ordered room service a couple of times.

Have notice this in the past. There's something about the connection between Cruise Critic and (any) cruise line's internet. Some sort of incompatibllities. Not sure what. I know most internet activity using ship WiFi plans, while still not good, is at least serviceable. Cruise Critic and ship WiFi? Some sort of protocol glitch. Cruise Critic might want to think about working with the cruise lines. I'm sure from a marketing perspective (people trying to post their pics, vids, comments in real time) it would behoove both the cruise lines and Cruise Critic to sync.

FYI! https://www.ncl.com/newsroom/harry-sommer https://www.ncl.com/about/norwegian-leadership

When the restart was happening, NCL/FDR came right out and said they were requiring all passengers to be vaccinated and provide a negative covid test. PERIOD. NO EXCEPTIONS. There was no grey area. There was no debate. They precluded letting children sail, as a result, probably to their financial detriment. They sailed to Alaska when Canada wasn't allowing cruise ships. So, NCL went directly from Seattle to Alaska, with no stopovers to Canada. East Coast sailings to Canada were suspended, again to NCL's financial detriment. Celebrity did the same, except for children, who at the time had no approved vaccination. But, they limited the amount of non-vaccinated passengers who could sail (again, limiting it to a few infants). Everyone knew the rules. There was no "fudge" factor of who could or could not cruise, where they could or could not go on the ships, where they could and could not eat. The rest of the main stream lines did crazy gyrations. Some could be vaccinated. Some not. They segregated parts of their ships that prohibited non-vaccinated passengers from entering. Some required masks for those who were not vaccinated. If I remember correctly, they actually segregated restaurants where non-vaccinated had to eat vs vaccinated. It was nuts. So yeah...I think NCL and Celebrity did a great job until the pandemic risks subsided.

Every time I’ve arrived at the pier early (~9:30 a.m.) I always kick myself while being squished at my seat (if I can find a seat) by those sitting next to me, by their luggage, and those standing in front of me with their usually sizable derrières. The last time that happened, I swore “never agin”! I’ve kept that promise to myself.

Yeah...it really depends on the port. I've been in some Haven check in rooms that were little more than a small class room with way too few chairs and some stale doughnuts and "urn" coffee. Neither were good. Others were better, with better beverages and "snacks". Not Haven, but the best was sailing the Celebrity Retreat on both the APEX and EDGE out of FT Lauderdale. Their Retreat check in area was comfortable, with great beverages of all kinds, great snacks, and their check in personnel were 2nd to none.

Same here. My goal is always to arrive at the pier, check in, and walk right on board. Unless you're in the Haven, the waiting areas t board at the pier are "NO FUN"! I try to get to the pier sometime after noon. Unless something went haywire, I check in and walk right on board. And, when I board, it's usually close enough that my cabin is ready and I don't have to schlep my carry on everywhere.

Yeah...not buying that. Reported by who? Maybe MSC cruisers would like NCL and MSC to merge as NCL could probably up the customer satisfaction for MSC. But, I doubt NCL would be interested in taking on that burden.

Going strictly from memory, Kevin Sheehan's predecessor (Veetch-sp?) sued Sheehan while he was in charge. This was in response to some negative things Sheehan had published about Vetch previously. It came down to a ***** contest as Sheehan fought back at Veetch. Optics are never good when Execs and former execs start fighting and suing each other. BOD I'm sure were not in the mood for it and let Sheehan go. But, Sheehan did indeed foster some of the innovations that is widely copied by all cruise lines, today. He was guest focused and a credit to NCL. Last I heard he was on the Board of Directors for Dave and Busters.

Perhaps. In person Muster Drill entailed more people than the e-Muster. They would have people directing you where to go, people in the venue directing you to your section, people demonstrating, etc. I have no reason to believe this, but when they announced they were going back to the Lin person Muster drills that some NCL accountant thought they would save money on the drink package, that nearly everyone has, if they had that 30 minute period before, during and after the drill where the bars were all closed. Someone compared that with the labor cost of getting more people involved in the in person Muster drill. Whichever was cheapest won out. We snow know the answer. Could be a stretch, but that's plausible in my humble estimation.

I don't know about NCLH being bought out. Anything can happen, of course. They have a sizable chunk of the total cruise business, and their ships are all in good shape. MSC hasn't quite got the hang of the American Market, which is a huge part of that business. Just my experiences with both lines, the two operationally are pretty different. That would be a tough marriage. IT would also probably be susceptible to some scrutiny here, as NCL is based in the U.S. NCL's capacity is rising as is it's booking rate, and is mapping to forecasts and they're generating positive cash flow. Margins are going up I think NCLH is in for the long haul, as that's what the investors are banking on. It would be a tough buy for MSC (or any other cruise line, for that matter), even if the share holders were to be in the mood to sell. But, I've been surprised by mergers before. Carnival would probably be the easier target for MSC if they were so inclined.

Great review! Thanks for taking us along, and Welcome Home! BTW….I had OMAR as my concierge, too. He is great! And, wondering if we had the same Butler? DIdn’t see him until the last day of the cruise, hanging around my door asking if I needed anything. LOL!

If he does, and wants a change of pace, I hope he does find something else. But, from experience, going from a full time gig to something much less stressful, working many fewer hours, is appealing.

....or, more likely....he's retirement age and doesn't want to work any more.

While I'm not an FDR fan, I think his deft navigation through the whole COVID shutdown, and just as importantly, the COVID restart, with firm and unequivocal policies, got NCL going again. All the rest of the mainstream cruise lines were a jumbled mess in the way they handled it in comparison.

Kind of surprised NCL went to the old gatherings for the muster drill. I would have to think it cost more in both time and personnel to go back to the old way of doing it. I do like the way Royal does theirs (if they still do it the same way). If you don't watch the safety drill and check in at your muster station, your sign and sail card won't allow you to get a drink or to check in anywhere. That said, given the massive cluster in person muster drills were, and the amount of personnel needed to conduct them, it has to be more effective, less time consuming, with less personnel involved by doing e-muster.

@cruiseny4life...my apologies. Went off on a tangent. This is your thread. Didn't mean to interfere!

It's been a while since I sailed a BA+ ship with the District Brew House. That's always a fun place, especially when they have an entertainer there. Doing the Bliss Alaska Itinerary next month. Our Meet and Greet is being held there. Should be fun!

I dig the shirt!

Great strategy! I do the same. A decent sized tip at the start of the pool activity usually nets repeat visits from the wait staff. Although, I prefer not to fight the crowd around the pool on sea days. If there's a port day, when docked somewhere I've been many times, I'll park my carcass by the pool while no one is there. Or, better still, after the sun goes down, when most folks are drunk, burnt and probably back in their cabins already passed out. 😉

Then, I doubt he's looking to head up another cruise company. I was guessing at his age.

I think he’s 65 y.o. My guess is he’ll take retirement seriously. Never know…..I’m near his age and I’m retired, yet do contract work for my old company on occasion.

None that I’m aware of. Just don’t be “that” person or family who traipses through the Haven in wet swimsuits and barefoot.

Pool deck bar(s) are always overcrowded because that’s where the most people hang out. It really depends on the ship. Grab a drink at one of the other bars and take it out to the pool. There are usually waitstaff roaming around the pool to get drinks for you, too. It’ll save you some time.

I love ALL THE BARS on the Waterfront (of those NCL ships that have them). The one right outside of either CAVERN CLUB or SYD NORMAN’s are usually my fave. Great for SAILAWAY. Great for after seeing a show. Great for a nightcap. I like Maltings, too. Sugarcane Mojito Bar is usually fun.