Crown Vic

Interesting. AA wouldn’t talk to us…but…we managed to upgrade to AA Business Class at the airport. All’s well that ends well…

Used NCL Air recently. Chose to go ‘in’ a day early ‘just in case’. Believe that NCL allows a one or two day flight deviation. The NCL Air site is very specific. Flights are chosen for you and cannot be altered once ticketed. I even tried to upgrade. Neither the airline nor NCL would ‘talk to me’. BTW, flights to and from the ship worked out well. Non stop one way; one stop on the return. Different airlines. Guess it’s a case of Caveat Emptor when booking NCL Air…Buyer Beware…

Give aquacars.co.uk a look. May just fit the bill. Cheers!

Did the ‘new’ Canal on the Canal inauguration sailing of the Bliss. Frank Del Rio graced the occasion with a visit to the ship at one of the Locks. BTW, you mention ‘Down Under’. If that’s your home country, gotta tell ya that we want the Ashes back.

Wonder why the itinerary is Central America heavy but excludes any U.S. West Coast stops? A San Diego or San Fran day woulda been nice…

Was on PoA last October. There was a struggle to maintain good service because of the lack of staff. Only once a day cabin service, some specialty and one main dining room closed etc. Still a very enjoyable cruise which included the Napali Coast sail by. Gotta save fuel somehow but not sure how much of a difference this change will make. Environmental sensibility, which is a good thing, is among the latest catch phrases. Cheers!

Applied, by appointment in person, at a Service Canada Office on February 7. New passport hand delivered on February 20. Impressive! Waiting for return of cancelled passport which, I was told, was delayed internally but should arrive by mid month.

On one QM2 transAtlantic crossing, men entered the dining room wearing a jacket but were not stopped from removing the jacket and placing it on the back of the chair.

Submitted passport renewal documentation, in person, at a Service Canada office on February 7. The new passport was hand delivery February 27. Woo hoo!

Ouch!

Have also had the Lobster Thermidor. Rather subpar and rubbery on the Pride of America last October but excellent on the Norwegian Dawn in January. Go for it! Enjoy…

Good choice! The Sole Grenobloise is my Better Half’s choice at Le Bistro and is usually excellent.

What’s in a name? Loup de Mer is better know as European Sea Bass, Mediterranean Bass and/or Branzino depending on the country in which is being served. No doubt other names as well. These names are more palatable to diners. Keep in mind that Chilean Sea Bass is Patagonian Toothfish. Perhaps a fishmonger could add additional details. Haddock or Cod anyone?

When will Latitudes’ Ambassador level guests be given complimentary access to the Vibe Beach Club? Providing access to such a small number of guests per sailing would add value to Latitudes highest level and provide an additional ‘thank you’ to top level repeat cruisers.

Mr del Rio:- 1) does NCL have a team reading Cruise Critic? There are some comments made to which NCL should listen. One such item is the reduction in cabin service whilst offset by an increase in the DSC. At what capacity point will your company take heed? 2) Why is the NCL Latitudes recognition program not linked to the other NCLH brands of Regent and Oceania? More NCL cruisers would upgrade to sister lines with a little encouragement…read ‘recognition’. Look forward to your positive responses. No bafflegab/Officialdom speak please!

Always nice to nap for a coupla hours after the tasting…zzzz… Cheers!

Sox Fan Cruiser, my Brahmin other half is from The Hill. Says she’ll take the Moet and Chandon but drink it with some Schrod. Gotta be from McMenamy’s. Cheers!

Horror of horrors! On a recent Equinox cruise, the bars ran out of Cinnamon Fireball Whiskey which is DW’s drink of choice. She tells people ‘she drank the ship dry’. Cheers!

Just back from an NCL cruise outta Tampa. NCL fare was 2 for 1. Going down we were booked on Air Canada non stop outta Pearson. The return was on AA with a change of plane in Charlotte. No problems at all. Suggestion is to read the cruise line’s procedure regarding non stops, one stops etc. If travelling overseas, the flights may have more than one leg and may go to an airport nearby rather than the one requested. Self booking for a similar price provides peace of mind…but…if there is a ship change of plans/delays then the cruise line will rebook your air for you if needed. This happened to one NCL cruise when the Port of Tampa was closed due to fog. The ship docked 11 hours late. Good luck!

Wot ?!? No Coopers? For shame… My Better Half enjoys Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey. Cheers!

Remember the kerfuffle when Celebrity stopped putting chocolates on the pillow at turndown time? Folks complained so much that the chocolates ‘reappeared’. Of course, the next step is the current transitioning to once-a-day cabin service removing the evening turndown. C’est la vie!

Same on Celebrity Equinox in November. No ‘prizes’ for Trivia winners. Gotta save money somewhere…but…it’s the little things that upset folks even though the prize may be a pen or something small. Usta like the t-shirts. BTW, NCL still gives ‘signatures’ for participation that can be turned in for ‘stuff’. Cheers!

On the Equinox last November. On both occasions, the sole was filleted table side. Cheese was plated the first time but offered from the trolley the second. Table side preparation and the cheese trolley made the evenings that much more enjoyable. Cheers!

Save room for the Cheese Board...

Alain came onboard on January 17. CruiseNext Manager is Glenn Benedicto. Think he is here for a while longer. Cheers!