graphicguy

While this doesn’t really bother me at all, I always had to chuckle when hotels (and now cruise lines) encouraged towels to be reused to somehow make them look environmentally concious. If there was ever an industry with a worse environmental impact than the cruise industry, I can’t think of it. If you’re cutting services to save money, just say it. I would appreciate the honesty more than the excuses.

Didn't know that. Coffee in the Eden Cafe was good, though. Food there was good, too. It was my go to!

For those looking for a quick bite, and usually less crowded, go to the Eden Cafe on the Apex. It is right behind the Eden Bar. Hot and cold breakfast and lunch items. There’s also a coffee bar, there. Much better than the “Elite” Breakfast.

I’m actually going to be at that game. Looking forward to it!

Thanks for the inappropriate lecture!

Not sure how that would work? Doest ATT pay the cruise lines to use their on board sat system for calls? Or, is that just the charge ATT would issue, and Royal would add an additional per minute charge? If it's the former, $100 for a week's worth of "checking in" is still a chunk of change. Might try WiFi calling, but WiFi service is usually spotty. I think I read where there's a text plan. That would probably work best if it's anywhere near reasonably priced. Personally, I would give those who need to know the ship's phone number and tell them to only use it if there's an emergency (and ONLY if there's an emergency, as it's pricey to call the ship, which in turn will bill you for the service). That's what I tell my family when I'm cruising. I also tell them there isn't squat I can do about any issue back home while I'm in the middle of the water. Even docked, there's nothing I could do as I'm at least a ½ continent away from home. They'll need to be responsible and make their own decisions (by the way those are the exact words I use when instructing family). I have MANY cruises under my belt giving them the same lecture. Nothing has come up that either wasn't resolved or couldn't wait until I returned. NEVER HAPPENED!

correct. I was always skeptical why they even list a la carte pricing in any of the Specialty Restaurants. No one, and I do mean NO ONE ever goes to those restaurants and pays a a la carte. So, why do they bother? Besides, those prices are nowhere near what would be considered even remotely real. Someone, somewhere, in the bowels of NCL corporate is justifying their job by convincing management someone should price a la carte items in the Specialty Restaurants. In all fairness, I'm sure there is some accounting reason they have this pricing and give a "N/C" bill at the end of the meal. I just don't know what that accounting reason could possibly be. For the record, the Lobster Thermidor in LeBistro is something I've ordered 3X. It is not very good even though I keep expecting it to be better than the last time. I wouldn't order it, and I certainly wouldn't pay extra for it.

Happy to hear you’re having a good time. It’s been a while since I sailed her, but I really like the Gem. Atlantic waters are always rougher than the Caribbean. You have to be prepared for that. Casino….table limits are usually lower during the day when it’s less crowded than they are at night when the casino is bustling.

Just going by history of Broadway shows I’ve seen which end up on NCL ships, they stick pretty close to the land based performances….probably have to with their licensing agreement. Shows aren’t diluted. Noticed this on Rock of Ages, Million Dollar Quartet and Jersey Boys….identical to what I saw in either Vegas or Broadway.

2 apps, 1 entre, 1 desert

They’ll probably be showing a soccer game repeatedly that was played 2 months ago on every TV on the ship (j/k).

IN THE U.S.A. You cruise outside the U.S., no store, restaurant, etc is obligated to recognize ANY U.S. money. They do because it’s recognizable. But, $2 bills are uncommon. As such, Non-U.S. establishments may and do view those bills with healthy skepticism and usually turn them away. It’s happened to me, and have reports of it happening to others. In brief, depending on the acceptance of $2 bills to use as legal tender for anything outside the U.S. is not a good idea. Not sure why anyone would go out of their way to get and try to use $2 bills.

This was a while ago, but I recall someone handing a bartender a $2 bill. I’m sure he meant well. But in talking to the bartender and him mentioning that many stores where he shops when docked, and banks he uses didn’t know what a $2 bill was. So, it was “non-spendable” to him. I ended up giving him 2-$1 bills in a swap so it wasn’t a hassle for him. I tried to take it to the casino on board the same cruise and to use it in Cancun at a restaurant. They would not change it for me, either. Keep that in mind if you’re seeking $2 bills to take on the cruise to tip. Not sure why someone would do so to begin with. It’s not like it’s anywhere near a common denomination. You’d have to purposely make it a point to take them with you on a cruise.

Correct. Also meant no connections.

Well…I have a lot of experience with flying in the “day of”. But, I have my own personal qualifiers. 1. Flight has to get me into the city I’m sailing from at least 4 hours before sailaway 2. It has to be a direct flight, with at least one later flight as back up that gets me to the pier on time for SAILAWAY 3. No Frontier, Sprit or any other of these fringe airlines who are notorious for cancellations and/or late departures/arrivals 4. No crossing West to East time zones 6. No checked baggage (don’t want to get hung up with baggage handlers who lost my bags) 7. There must be another different airport within 90 minutes from the embarkation pier OP….your cruise does not qualify!

I always tip on the 2nd last day of the cruise. That beats the rush to his desk on the last day, or the morning of disembarkation, when every one else is trying to do the same thing.

I remember someone asking one of the officers during a M&G about this right after the restart. He said they discourage door decorations because many use adhesives that are very hard to remove. So, housekeeping and/or maintenance staff spent an inordinate amount of time trying to remove them, because guests would not remove them when they left the ship. I have no dog in this hunt, as I don’t care one way or the other. But, makes sense.

I empathize with the law enforcement community. Tough gig and mostly thankless duty. That said, seems everyone is looking for a “woe is me….feel badly for me” story when it comes to some cruise passengers. We’re on a cruise….where just about every crew member on board is trained and trying to appease every whim the guests may have, and to do it politely with a smile. This YouTuber planted himself in security’s way. So, he wants to put a black mark on this person’s file because his feelings were hurt.

Good rule of thumb...especially at a cruise port....always be aware. Guests getting off a ship, many to go shopping, probably carrying credit cards and cash, as well as a $1,000 phone, make tempting targets by those who are more nefarious.

In fairness, I didn’t get through the entire video. So, maybe there was something that would change my initial thoughts. But, why does this vlogger seem to be “hey, it’s all about me, me, me”. A security person needed to get on board quickly (why his size mattered is beyond me). We don’t know why. He tried to get the vlogger out of the way to let him through. Was it a single request? Multiple requests? Finally, the security person tried to get the vlogger to move. Did he move? Or, was he bound and determined not to let this guy through? Just asking the questions. In addition, the vlogger wanted the guy to be admonished, and to have this guy’s boss report back to the vlogger he was certainly admonished. What a PITA this guy sounds like. Mountain…meet molehill.

Have said it many times before, who cares what others wear on the cruise ship. Dress as you like. Want to wear a gown or a tux every night? Have at it. Conversely, why does anyone care what I wear?

Hey Jamie…great review so far, as always. Pet peeve of mine….non-service animals (and those who claim to have a service animal but for no particular reason) on ships. I love my dog(s). My current dog is very well behaved. But, I would not subject him to a small cabin, or to sit quietly at my feet for long periods. Bad for the dog. Bad for other passengers. Super insensitive by their owners. I have seen this on Royal and now Princess. This alone will keep me from sailing Princess.

Booking Haven as a “milestone”? It’s not a milestone but a detriment to my checking account. Not sure I’d consider that a milestone, though. 😉

That Director would be “Handsome Rob”. Great coordinator. The solos would meet in Bliss every night and he’d block off seats for the MDRs as well as the main shows if you gave him advance notice. Don’t know if they had another coordinator in the Solo Lounge, or not.

2nd your thoughts on The Spice Farm…..very good!