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mbruck

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Posts posted by mbruck

    Not Quite Live from the Not-so Inaugural Prima with Freestyle Dailies

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    found it on NCL page:

    https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/minisuites-and-balconies

    "Club Balcony Suites provide additional amenities and privileges at no additional cost. Amenities include the option to pre-book onboard entertainment and dining as early as 125 days prior to sail date, complimentary treats delivered to your stateroom, a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, and a choice of one valet laundry or pressing service."

    • Thanks 1

    Not Quite Live from the Not-so Inaugural Prima with Freestyle Dailies

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    I have something to add on the laundry bag perk issue - when NCL updated their latitudes program, they also added an extra amenity for suites - which was a free bag of laundry.  This benefit "stacks" with the free bag you get as a latitudes member - meaning you get both the latitudes perk, and then the suite level perk.  i think there was a discussion of this in cruise critic somewhere.  My vague recollection is that there wasn't much to distinguish regular balconies from mini-suites, and this was one of the distinctions... 

     

    I'll see if i can hunt down the thread...

    New Platinum benefits

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    The wife and I just got Platinum status, and I just noticed they've added a few things. If I'm reading right, our upcoming cruise booking gave us a dining package for 3 nights on our 7 day cruise. So, with the new perk, we get 1 at Cagney's or Le Bistro, 1 at Moderno or La Cucina, and 3 more? Are the Moderno or La Cucina transferrable to other restaurants?

     

    Sent from my SM-N900V using Forums mobile app

    New to NCL

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    My wife an I are ncl regulars (just hit platinum) but recently took 2 Royal Caribbean cruises ( had a seminar - had a cabin issue, got a credit, went again). The "no set dining " time for the main restaurants are the main difference, but for those of us who "gamble" and look forward to it as an exciting part of the cruising experience, I think NCL'S staff is superior in the casino - many people can't tell the difference, but I think it's noticeable - largest example is if you are at a full table for a bit, you can almost always call the pit boss over to ask for a complimentary round of anything on them - plus a much more knowledgeable and engaging staff. Also, a slightly more receptive attitude to cigar and cigarette smokers - some others may disagree on this last bit, bur my sense is ncl likes the gambling type and likes to have a Vegas experience in their casinos (especially the Epic )

     

    Sent from my SM-N900V using Forums mobile app

    UBP - Must try cocktail/drink list!

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Reporting back from my Transatlantic on the NCL Jade - many bars had "premade" giant carafes for certain cocktails, and I was only rejected once on the cruise to a "please stick to the menu" request by a bartender at the martini bar when I asked for the "cagney's speakeasy martini" on a particularly busy night at the martini bar. I did not have a "prior relationship" with that bartender, though, so if I really really wanted to I could have taken the elevator up 6 floors or so to the "star bar" which is right next to cagney's and could have got one - or I could have found my "favorite waiter" Phillip in the upstairs lounge (who I made sure to grease with an extra dollar the first few days each time I ordered a drink) and I am sure he would have accommodated me.

     

    Some of the premade stuff isn't bad - mostly in the frozen sweet drinks. But to avoid it elsewhere, I found no premade carafes in ..... the casino, of course. The bartenders there were knowledgeable and made stuff fresh when I was there. I am also sure that prior greasing of a specific bartender would (most likely) get you the drink you want.

     

    Sent from my SM-N900V using Forums mobile app

    UBP - Must try cocktail/drink list!

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted · Edited by mbruck

    I think I'm beginning to understand - a few of these drinks now have "standard recipes" per NCL that use top level liquor that would currently (I think) not be included on the UBP. Something tells me that if I ask the bartender to make a, let's say, a chocolate martini with "well vodka", Godiva liqueur, and cream (or half and half) the cost of those ingredients would put it under the 15.95 cost threshold. Or, a "Dark and Stormy" without the top shelf rum. It wouldn't be the recipe on the menu. If they tell me "we are supposed to make it ONLY the way the menu says", after suppressing a little internal anger at NCL'S CEO, I would slip the bartender a $1 bill, and tell her or him "I'd rather pay you a dollar than 2.95 to NCL. I'm sure you can make me happy. "

     

    I'll be leaving soon on the Jade for a Transatlantic - so I'll post back here mid-November with a report, but I'm sure someone else will post before then.

     

    Sent from my SM-N900V using Forums mobile app

    Cigar Louges

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted · Edited by mbruck

    Are they INSIDE smoking lounges?

    Yes they are- well appointed also. Epic is my favorite ship because I like the "Vegas at Sea" feel of the boat.

     

    I'll be on the Jade at the end of the month for a second time - doing my first Transatlantic - can't wait

     

    Sent from my SM-N900V using Forums mobile app

    UBP - Must try cocktail/drink list!

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    And thats exactly what i did, missed a few so will have to go back lol

     

    Sent from my SM-T350 using Forums mobile app

     

    I'll be leaving on the Jade soon for a transatlantic - just wondering if you remember if the "Rebellious Fish" and the "Dark and Stormy" and some of the other classics were above the UBP threshold.

     

    Also, wondering if the drinks you posted (like the rum cake or Espresso Martini) could be "brought under the threshold" by requesting a lower quality Vodka or rum.

     

    Any more pics out there?

     

    Thanks!

    Cruise Compass Sheets

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted · Edited by mbruck

    You should go to your Roll Call here and see what others on your cruise will be doing. You click on RCCL, then your ship, then the date of your cruise. Often you can plan tours together as you email each other on this site.

    Once 12 or us from our roll call chartered our own evening snorkeling trip in Aruba! I also met someone from the town next to ours on my roll call!

    You can also check ports here and see what you can do in each one.

     

    I hate to intrude on this thread, but I saw that you, Bonnie J., were on the Dolphin IV when I proposed to my current wife, Cindy on the millenium cruise - we stayed over in Key West. I proposed the next day at the "passenger talent show". We have NO PICTURES from that cruise and I am desperate to find some - do you have any or know anyone who does?

     

    Hoping against hope,

     

    Michael Bruckman

    Alcohol in the morning

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    There was a thread on NCL recently about having an alcoholic drink at breakfast. Whilst there were one or two suggestions for drinks, the thread veered slightly off topic by discussing drunken behaviour.

     

    I thought it might be fun to open the thread to the wider CC community and see what drinks people would have with their breakfast.

     

    It's my first time with a UBP on a Norwegian Transatlantic in a few months -I plan to get my money's worth!! As someone else said earlier, our livers have misbehaved badly - they must be punished!

     

    Bailey's in my coffee is a good way to go. I also plan on trying to bring a shot of either Licor 43 or cherry brandy to the omelet station to see if they'd cook my shot with some butter to make a sauce - for pancakes or waffles. If not, I'll try adding it to some oatmeal. :D :D :D

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