graphicguy

Brava!!!!!!!! Grazie, Molto Bene!

One thing I learned a while ago.....it's called gambling for a reason. The house always wins. If I can whittle down the house's odds, that's the game I'll play. I'm not a slot guy. So, I stick to cards....Black Jack, 3 Card Poker, Hold'em....sometimes Caribbean Stud (where available). If I come home not losing any, that's a win for me. If I'm on the "plus" side with winnings, I feel like I deserve cake for breakfast.

I think we've had this conversation before. I play cash games. I don't like rebuys....particularly NCL's. Anyone can rebuy to the point where they can "buy" the tournament. That said, I won two tournaments on Celebrity (no rebuys). As mentioned, I play in cash games on NCL. I think we've all played enough to know who is or isn't an easy "mark" at the table. They fall into 3 categories... 1. The ones who sit down with their "lucky charm", the sunglasses and the "attitude". Those guys are usually the ones who leave first. 2. The ones who sit down with a mound of chips they bring with them. They're the 2nd ones who bow out on any given night. 3. Then, you have us grizzled grinders who pick our spots to bluff and to shove and put out the posers early to get to play with the others just like us, who are there for the duration.

I get it. I've been with mine for over a decade. She took some time off for a bit a year or so ago. But, she's back in the saddle. She's part of a much larger on line Travel Agency. Some of those are really little more than book and forget shops. I like mine. If my TA is out of the office or on vacation, sick, etc.....they have back ups who will assist me. So, I'm really dealing with a bunch of agents who back each other. I stick with them/her. I used to shop them. I don't even do that any more. I know the PCCs NCL has are a transient group. But, that's the nature of their biz...sell and get promoted or get fired. So, I've never been able to latch on to one for any length of time. From time to time, I'll get an email stating I have someone (insert random name here) who is standing by to help with my next cruise. But, they come and go pretty quickly.

https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/detail/cruises-privileges/platinum

That would be a tough (if not impossible) "get" from a TA. That is, asking for more than the kickback they're already giving you on your booking. Not a TA, so I don't know how it works. But, it's sort of like asking anyone on commission if they're willing to give up part of their compensation because I want them to give it to me. I just literally cringed a bit while typing that. So, are you saying you have an issue with your wife for booking a massage? You want the TA to give you some money back because your wife likes expensive massages? FAS+ isn't something I'd buy as there's nothing in the way of the expanded drinks that interest me. So, that's not an expense I'll incur. But, if you're looking for other ways to add value to your cruise, keep an eye out on offers on your credit cards. I use my AMEX to pay for my cruises. OP, I know you mentioned you are either booked, or looking to book, a Haven cabin. AMEX Platinum offers $300 OBC plus diner at LeBistro plus a bottle of wine. I think Visa Sapphire offers something similar. Over time, my TA has probably made decent commissions on my bookings as I usually book Haven, Retreat or Yacht Club cabins. I never ask for anything other than what she offers (which is between an 8%-10% discount or OBC). She's hands on for my reservation, too...keeping an eye out for price drops, special rates on cruises she believes I might be interested in, etc. So, she's not a "book'em and forget'em". But, she works at a high volume internet cruise booking agency. She books a lot of cruises to make her living. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think @cruiseny4life is a TA. He can probably offer some insight regarding a guest asking for his commission. EDIT....just saw @cruiseny4life posted while I was still typing. Thanks!

I've seen bartenders add cash tips to a tip bucket behind the bar. And, I've seen them divide it up as they were closing for the night with the bar backs. I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I've witnessed this given I was in a bar at closing time. NOT REALLY!!!!!

A dirty sock holder?

This is GREAT! Love me some Prima. Looking forward to this. Thanks!

And my favorite....

Aside from Pit Bull There was the Queen (Freddie Mercury) "I Want To Break Free" song they used....

A themed Hallmark Channel Christmas cruise? I love me some Christmas. But, the schmaltzy Hallmark Channel sponsor? I'd drink.....HEAVILY on that cruise! 😉 Loving very bit of your review, by the way!

Can't complain about the durability. 7 years of cruising is like "dog years" of regular use...;) Being thrown around by porters, by cruise crew and by us. That's a tough bunch of luggage.

I've had the same happen. Had my luggage with me hoping to put it in my cabin, only to have the Concierge said we wouldn't be able to until ALL the cabins were ready. Recently, they've let me drop my luggage off in the cabin, even though the cabin was still being made up. Could be a "concierge thing". Not sure about Haven luggage getting priority as I do carry on.

I need more coffee!!!!!! 🙃

Well…that post made no sense. I put it in the wrong thread! Sorry! PS…it’s still a good movie! 🎥

Once Upon a Time in Mexico..... Haven't seen that in a long time. I think I know what I'm doing tonite. 😉

I'm not a big "lobster guy". But, I had surf and turf 2 separate nights on my last Haven (Prima) cruise. We went out of Galveston. So, not sure where they got their lobsters, but they were quite good.

I enjoy the Haven Menu. The ONLY two things I DON'T like on it are the Beets and Broccolini.

Yeah....I found out the hard way, too. The airlines and port are pretty strict on the qualifications. While not 2 minutes, I had a flight on my last Alaska cruise that departed at 10:55 a.m. Pleaded, whined, etc...no luck.

Lots of people brought their cowboy hats on this cruise. 🤠 (Although I’m guessing some are all hat, no cattle.) Stealing this. This describes ½ the population of the area I live....boots and buckles, too. Lots of pickup trucks with no scratches in the bed, and pop music blaring out their windows that is masquerading as country music.

As far as luggage, one of the nice things about sailing in the Haven is they usually let me drop my luggage off in the cabin, even though the cabin may not be ready, yet. That beats hauling it around the ship. Hard side, soft side luggage. I use both. The key is to pack only carry ons. I use a back pack and roll aboard. It took me a while to get my GF to do that, too. But, once she did, she understands and appreciates not having to haul around a big piece of luggage before and after boarding the ships and planes. I do like some of the "internet brands" like AWAY. But, from my business travel days, it's hard to beat TravelPro. Just get something with strong zippers and strong wheels. Those are the break points.

I share my online moniker and my real name at the M&Gs. A lot of folks I've sailed with post often here. So, they know me (does anybody really know anyone else? Sorry, feeling existential today) when we finally meet....and vice versa. I will say, every person I've met on board that I've chatted with here have all been wonderful people.

I'm amazed at how one person can have a bad experience, like the OP, and another can have a great experience on the same exact cruise, like @OrcaGirl. OP, if you get a chance, take a look at her live review and see where the differences are. While I know this was 6 months ago, I did a Mediterranean sailing on the Epic. It was clean and in good shape, then. So, not sure what happened in the interim. But, to answer your questions....Somewhere there will be a listing of the Director of Housekeeping and the Director of Food and Beverage. Their contact numbers might be listed in the Daily. But, if not, Customer Service will give you their number. Two separate depts....so one is not likely to help with the other. Contact them both separately about your concerns in their specific depts. Let the Housekeeping Director know where and what you saw as far is the ship being dirty. That will allow them to address it. Let the Food and Beverage Director know which food was inedible and where you were when dining. They will address that particular venue(s). I do know steak that's well done can be tough. But, chicken that's overcooked can be tough, too. Personally, I don't like their pizza, and you do. So, it's a subjective topic. Telling the Cruise Next desk you don't like the food is sort of like telling the Captain the weather's bad. While both are true, neither and do a thing about it. While I get in trouble for this, I'll put this as delicately as I can. If there was a person who was rude to you, find out who they report to. Tell that person your concerns and what exactly happened. But, gratuities, for some unknown reason to me, seem to be more of a hot bed issue across all cruise lines. Just a general "I don't like the food (or as you put it, "it's inedible") really won't net much as far as some sort of rectification. Same goes for a broad and general statement like "the ship is dirty". Tell the Director WHERE it was dirty and when you observed it. I guarantee you they'll do their best to fix it. Tell the Directors in the Depts you chat with that you'd like to reduce the gratuities for the specific reasons you can outline with them. We can't help you since we're not on the ship, nor do any of us have any sway with NCL (at least I don't).