Treasure Hunter

What shows are getting the axe? How do you find out?

The only problem might be the dessert choices. When we went it was ice cream sundae or chocolate cake. My daughter in law doesn’t eat cheese ( except if it’s on pizza!) so she chose the salad without mozzarella). I think they will accommodate up to a point but it’s not a full kitchen.

I hope they keep Million Dollar Quartet and Choir of Man

Just got off the constellation. Six of us went to the restaurant to book and we were shown two complete menus that changed midweek. Each menu had a front and back. Side one matched the animation side two did not. Side one was more seafood based. Side two more chicken/beef. You could pick from both sides for appetizer, starter, main, dessert. It sounds complicated but really wasn’t. And even if the animation didn’t match all the way through it was still charming and fun. The food is very tasty and presentation terrific.

We did a Tauck tour of Sicily that starts in Palermo. You spend three days before going to much more beautiful places. There is a very good hop on hop off double decker bus. The main stop was in front of our hotel (Hotel Wagner). It is insanity to even think of trying to travel there on a port day from Messina. Taormina is so lovely, go there.

The shows are great so move the dining .

Yes and it is an oasis of calm when that rule is observed.

Just remember if the kids are on vacation they will also be in the Haven. Don’t be disappointed. It’s still much better than the rest of the ship!

The Haven is Amazing. We also cruise Celebrity ( retreat) a lot because they give me nice discounts thru the casino but I would just cruise Haven if I could. Took daughter and grandkids on the Breakaway ( two bedroom family suite) and they couldn’t stop thanking and hugging me. Booked next February on the Encore. Wait until they see that Haven!

On the Getaway there was outside dining around the Haven pool. Although I missed the lounges it was an opportunity for more relaxed apparel.

Buy a European outlet converter and you can use those outlets too!

My nose would have to be in the sky if I saw hairy underarms in a tank top while eating in the restaurant

When we were on the Breakaway for NY winter break there were 1800 kids on board including numerous families in the Haven. The kids totally took over the pool and hot tubs on the main floor where the restaurant was and even went up to the covered lounges up a level that encircled the pool but non went out to the outside sundeck. It was generally agreed to leave some peace and quiet for the adults. There is a smoking area up there. If an adult complained about the noise he was directed upstairs ( there was sporadic bar and lunch service). If a parent tried to bring a kid up to the sundeck he/she would have gotten the stink eye and complaints.

There is no sign up. At every port go to guest services and ask. There was no charge and they left and returned to the same place. There is no info each day in the bulletin.

Just got off on Tuesday ( Greek Islands). Concierge cabin very shabby. Sofa broken. Bed lumpy. Useless TV. food in MDR very good to excellent. Unlimited shrimp cocktails. Delicious lobster tail and the best Prime rib of beef I have ever had. two production show’s excellent with first rate singers and dancers. Other entertainment pretty good too. Service excellent in MDR no one to get drinks in Buffet. Many things broken in cabin ( safe, shower head, toilet) fixed immediately! Don’t take ship tours ( ours were terrible). Weather and ports beautiful. Free shuttles but you have to ask. Not advertised. Hit big in the casino! Would I go again? Only in a suite that’s been renovated.

Corfu has beautiful beaches. I think the other port is mostly for the historical side of the Olympics.

Yes, we avoid the Buffet at all costs. everyone handling the same spoons. Always happy not to start off a cruise sick. And we also like to get on the ship early. The cruise we got off this past Tuesday, we checked in at 10:30 were on the ship at 11:15 eating in MDR by 11:30 received luggage at 1:00 unpacked by 1:30. Could be the Connie is a smaller ship but the dining room experience was one of the best ever. And we had sailed in March in a RS on the Edge ( cold and impersonal). This was far better, including the enjoyment of the food. And our waiter Michael was fabulous.

Just got off the Constellation ( Athens to Venice) . No problem getting the lunch ( enjoyed it) If not for cruise critic, I wouldn’t have known about it! Food very good in the MDR especially unlimited shrimp cocktails and last night Prime Roast beef ( absolutely delicious! ) Production shows were outstanding. Casino great ( hit Buffalo tower) . Ports wonderful except for tour in Zadar from ship ( panorama of Dalmatia which was the worst ships tour in 50 cruises). Service excellent but cabin so shabby. Sofa broken , bed lumpy. Lots of rust. Anything broken like shower head drooping fixed ASAP. Gorgeous weather, had a great time. Other passengers were friendly and fun.

Yes! It was the RSSC Diamond. It was in the Greek Islands and billed as a see Venus cruise. Over 50% of the passengers were astronomy buffs.

Does anyone remember a Regent ship that was a catamaran ( 350 passengers). We sailed on her maybe 29 years ago before she was sold as a gambling ship in Hong Kong. It’s driving us crazy!

We are getting off the Connie tomorrow in Ravenna and taking a car service / water taxi to our hotel in Venice. We are taking a water taxi the next morning to the airport. It is 20 minutes and the most direct way to get to the airport even though it is 130Euros. We are elderly. Has anyone found porters at the pier to help get the luggage to departure ( Delta terminal one)? I think it is a ten minute complicated trip with walkways and elevators. Ugg

We were dropped right in front of our terminal. But the driver was a little confused and we had to encourage him. For instance, he got behind a long line of taxis who were there to pick up paddy not drop off. So as New Yorkers we showed him that he could go around.

We are on the Celebrity constellation. Cruise started in Athens 8 days ago. We took a taxi to the cruise port from our hotel. The driver was adamant that we tell him the berthe. It was in our cruise documents booklet. Ours was E12. I know this wasn’t NCL but I hope it was helpful. We stayed at the Marriott Athens only 20 minutes from the port but not a good location for walking around Athens.

I feel many of the problems were due to not being in the Haven proper. And if you don’t want kids clogging the pool don’t go on school vacations. First lunch is always a problem because everyone wants to eat there at the same time. We have cruised both in and out of the Haven on the Gem, Getaway, Breakaway, Bliss, Joy and next February we have our favorite the Encore Haven two bedroom family suite for NY winter break ( Miami). We just got off the Celebrity Edge in March in a Royal Suite and I’d rather be in the Haven. Surf and Surf and shrimp cocktail no comparison. And we love the entertainment on NCL too.

We are currently on the Constellation in Greece with a family group of six. Definitely arrange for your dining table in advance. We have fixed dining , our own round table at 6:00 every night. Same servers. I’m booked through the casino and they did it at booking but I’m sure you can CALL and get it planned out that way. Why worry if it can be set up now.