Andoria

I wish they'd do something about the smoke. I'm an ex-smoker so I get why people want to smoke.  I'd spend more time and money at the casino if they banned smoking.  

2 hours ago, Laszlo said:

Have a great time!

Thank you! I'm sure I will:)

I sail on the Gem on Friday and BH is still listed. Bummer!  

On 4/16/2024 at 12:14 PM, Travelling2Some said:

Like many older people, we can't eat a lot at one time so Moderno just wasn't a good fit for us, especially since meat is heavy. The concerned wait staff repeatedly urged us to eat more with the manager even getting into the act.  I know they meant well but it was pushy to the point that they were making us feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.  Just curious if anybody else had this issue?

I typically save a lot of room for dessert and I'm always asked by the waitstaff if there was a problem with my meal. 

I mentioned before that I reached Pearl level last cruise. When I finished gambling, I asked the host to waive my service charges and she did. Just so I'm clear, that will no longer be an option?

20 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

they have solo cabins on all the ships, including the ones with studio cabins

This is fairly new correct? I believe the solo cabins were announced after I already made final payment on a studio cabin.

I will book a solo cabin in the future.

CCL is my preferred line mainly because the food is better. I'd cruise with them more often if they had a 7 day out of Boston or NY.

Last NCL cruise I was on, the food was much better but I had a studio cabin and it was like staying in a college dorm. Noise-canceling headphones didn't help.  I should've realized that the studio cabins probably aren't geared for those over 50.  

1 hour ago, nhtravels said:

Oh?  Whereabouts Heidi

I'm originally from the Concord area and DH is from Manchester, and we've owned in Meredith for almost 20 years.  I love being surrounded by water, so being on a cruise ship or sitting on my deck at home are my happy places!

New Hampton and Moultonborough.  I love being surrounded by water too.

12 hours ago, nhtravels said:

Thank you @cruiseny4life.  We will have a great trip, regardless of where my parents decide to book their accommodations.  Just being fortunate enough to experience Alaska together is a dream come true.

 

I felt a little foolish this morning reading CC. I have a brain injury and don't always realize how my words come out and in re-reading my post I realize that it may have made us sound entitled in a way that was not intended.  I truly apologize for anyone who may have taken offense.

You're fine.

I used to live up by your area:)

I'm on the Gem next month and you had me worried but I feel better after reading some of the replies.

I don't care about cookies, towel animals, or lox. I keep my cabin clean and prefer just having once-a-day service.  I'm not a fan of long lines at bars but my alcohol tolerance is so low now that I'm fairly certain one cocktail will keep me content for a couple of hours.

If I think a restroom is disgusting I find the nearest worker and let them know. 

Funny I was upset by the perks even before this. I made quite the donation on my last cruise and I got a 6 pack of Diet Coke. On Carnival, I would've had free goodies and upgrades all week.

10 hours ago, Laszlo said:

Bingo

 

We have only left our luggage out twice on 14 cruises, thankfully I have very large luggage straps with our initials on them and I use AirTags 

 

These are the straps I use....  https://amzn.to/3T9P7w5

Those are the straps I use on my bag too. Same color so don't go "stealing" my bag!:)

I decided to go with a regular balcony because I was concerned with the noise.  I like cabins above and below me.

1 hour ago, OrcaGirl said:

 

If any staff tried to tell you that you couldn't wear water shoes, I'd look them dead in the eye and ask them exactly how many people slip and hurt themselves in the thermal spa each week. (I highly doubt anyone would say that she couldn't wear them. I mean, I saw an old dude on my last cruise wearing his tighty-whiteys in the pool and no one said boo. 🤷‍♀️)

 

I honestly don't have any other suggestions besides the grippy water shoes, which the Fox and Red both said they'll never cruise without going forward. And we all did penguin walks for the rest of the week since we didn't have them.

 

 

Thank you.  Good idea!

I'm glad your mother is okay. You had quite the cruise.

I sailed with my elderly parents at the end of October on the Escape. My dad uses a rollator and still managed to fall the first night in the men's room. A guy in a wheelchair was able to call for help. My dad thought he broke a rib(didn't). I love my dad but I told him our cruising days together have ended. It's too much work and worry and the opposite of relaxing.

I sail with my 81-year-old mom at the end of April. I bought her the thermal pass for Mother's Day. Now I'm worried about her falling. Are you allowed to wear water shoes? Any tips you can think of for me to keep her upright?

36 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

If the bar has the ingredients, they can make them.  Just ask!

However, expect to pay extra. (Unless you have the Premium PLUS beverage package, you will pay an upcharge of a few dollars, plus service charge).

 

Here is an easy recipe:

Rum Cake Martini: 1.5 oz Kraken Black Spiced Rum, 1 oz. Godiva liqueur (dark creme de cocoa was used on ship instead of Godiva), .5 oz. Chambord, 2 oz. cream (shaken) -- mix all together except cream. Shake cream and pour on top over spoon (so it stays on top).

Garnish with raspberries

Thank you:)!

Do they offer Rum Cake martinis?  My mom and I will be on the Gem at the end of April and it's our favorite drink. The Escape didn't have them on the menu (that I could find).

I love breaking unenforceable rules.  Last cruise I shared drinks with my parents. I was allowed to get two drinks at a time and had trouble drinking the second one. 

I'm cruising with my mom again in April. We'll be lucky if we can manage two drinks per day without getting wrecked. NCL is still making their money.

I love your review. It's well-written and amusing. I've never heard of peanut butter whiskey and will have to try it when I board the Escape on Sunday.

I'm Platinum with both Carnival and NCL. I like cruising out of NY or Boston on 7-day cruises so I've been choosing NCL more often. I still prefer these things about Carnival:

1. cake

2. cake

3. cake

4. Guy's burgers

5. Pizza

Thank you for posting your review. I live in CT so my preference is sailing out of MA or NY.

On 8/16/2023 at 7:18 PM, Agent999 said:

The biggest benefit to the studio cabins is that, by default, the complex is an adult-only area. No kids next door, no kids running around the halls, no kids in the lounge. It is really (along with the Vibe Beach Club) one of the few kids-free areas on the ship.

I didn't even think of that perk.

Thanks for the review! I'm on the Escape at the end of October. I'm not a pool person but deck 8 sounds fun.

On 7/6/2023 at 3:44 PM, GORDONCHICK said:

Yes.  That much I know!

Thank you!

Will the vouchers be in my cabin on embarkation day?  I turned Platinum at the end of my last cruise.