LakeLureGuy

5 hours ago, Russiamomm said:

We’re you using a FAS meal or a Platinum voucher?

Latitudes coupon which could be used for 4 items each at several restaurants, including FR.

Just off the Joy.  We asked about only using 4 of our 8 selections, and were told "NO".  You can only use it that one time.  Of course, you may get another answer from someone else!

Just off the Joy on Saturday.  If you asked anyone, including those "behind the scenes", they say they don't know.  Or sworn to say they don't know!  In any case, as others have said, we have always scored NCL's productions shows as the best, and think Frank and Harry need to rethink this area.  Listen to what people are saying.  

We did see that Footloose "stuff" as well as lots of other "stuff" was being packed up and ready to offload for the refurb.  One source told us that everything associated with it being Asian was going away.  

On 10/2/2023 at 9:33 AM, QuanK585 said:

I know this may not be the best post to say this in, but it is related and is something us all thermal users have experienced, but...

 

PLEASE DO NOT HOG THE HEATED LOUNGERS WITH YOUR TOWELS!

 

This is one of the most infuriating thing I have seen on a cruise. Every time I went to the spa I see a majority of the heated stone loungers claimed with towels but unused. It just takes up valuable relaxation time for everyone else, especially when there aren't that many of them. I know that everyone can use them, when they want them, if 50-80% aren't claimed by towels.

 

YOU PEOPLE KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Spot on!  Never ceases to amaze how inconsiderate some people are for "holding" their heated loungers!  If you are going to use one, then use it right then when you plop down your stash of towels.  Otherwise, when coming out of a pool area, if one is not available, then wait your turn.  

Sailed again on the Prima TA last year, knew that the CC as well as Lovely would be there.  They were, and we took them little goodie bags!  They remembered us from past sailings, including Encore.  So here is cute picture as he was always willing to share that smile and hat!!

We are 23 days out, just opened up today.  We have our fav C of M booked!!

If you are currently on the Encore,can you advise which nights Choir of Man is performing?  Trying to arrange dining!

Saw this performance on the Inaugural, and it was probably THE best show ever on NCL!

Thanks!

This will be our 5th TA coming up on the Prima Inaugural.  Took a long time to decide to do it, but it has been a great cruise experience every time!  Not being sure about whether we'd like it or not, we chose to book the Haven.  Once was all it took.  We've been twice on Epic, on Breakaway, Encore.  For normal cruises, usually a Spa cabin since we love going to the pools and heated beds each day!  But for the TAs, we loved every minute of being in the Haven, enjoying those many sea days.  So different than not being in a port every day.  So, our point on the Haven subject is we are retired, going to enjoy our longer cruises, the wonderful TAs, enjoying our accommodations, and all it has to offer. 

So, C & A desk is so overwhelmed, wait times over an hour and cut off twice!  Trying to find out if the Thermal Suites are being offered for couples? The website will not give a rate when prompted! Do you have any info on daily mail or any staff promoting around the spa?    

Thanks....sailing 2/26.

Addressing the spa, taking in "beverages", etc., please take our thoughts kindly!  We have been on many NCL ships.  If the spa is offered, whether you purchase or have it as a "perk", this is how things should work to make it the best spa environment.

First, when you go in, please do not automatically put your things down on one of the heated thermal beds unless you are going to be on it right then.  There are always signs posted, but people ignore them.  You may be keeping someone who is coming out of the pools, and wants to lie down on it!  Please just place your items on one of the other lounges or wherever, and then wait your turn if necessary for a heated bed.  Just play nice!! 😊

Second, please remember this is a spa, not the outdoor pool where everyone is shouting!  Try and keep conversations to a low volume so that others who are trying to relax don't have to listen to you!

Third, alcoholic beverages really should not be brought in to the pool area.  We're not saying that to be anti, just again, this is a spa.  Relax and enjoy it, others will too!  

We are on the Breakaway Nov. 7.  Yesterday, received our luggage tags and Concierge letter.  So, maybe hang in there a little closer to your sail date!

We are on the 14/day Breakaway, Nov. 7.  Our TA just forwarded..as well as the same email from NCL regarding the protocols for Covid pretesting, etc.  Pretty straightforward.  Bermuda mentioned in there as well, even though we don't go there, and it appears to be pretty strict about that 96 hr. pre-testing for one thing.  I'm sure you are concerned at this timeframe, and hoping this cruise will happen for you.  We have friends booked on there as well!

If you are looking in NCL.com, get to the point where you've pulled up your category choice, then the list of cabins.  Clicking each cabin should give you a description to the right.  Should say "bed by balcony" or "bed by door".

3 hours ago, skoeper said:

Have others noticed the looooooong wait time when calling NCL?    I called them twice and both times, I waited over an hour before someone actually picked up to talk to me.  My TA called twice, the first time was 2 hour wait and then it was a 2.5 hour wait.   ON HOLD!    I'm not very impressed with NCL's customer service.   This is a new cruiseline to almost all of our group and I'm pretty sure it's gonna be the last time we sail on NCL.

 

Are we the only ones experiencing this?   Is it a fluke?

This from our TA who is experiencing much the same.  She said she has had correspondence from an NCL executive with apologies for these long delays.  Among the glitches were the shortened Getaway, Encore, and then all Cuba sailings cancelled.  They had to pull employees from many departments, plus they have hired over 200 new agents that are being trained as we speak.  They asked for agents & their clients to be patient as all of these issues are taking most of their time to rearrange.  Not excusing, just sayin' what my TA told me. 

Book your entertainment first since  shows are not every  night, then  build your dining  times around them.  Works really well every cruise for us...book early!

If you need to hand wash some items, then check at the "$" type stores for small wooden or plastic clothespins. You'll be able to hang more than just draping over the clothesline. Also, people look for the cutesy towel clips for poolside. We bought the Goody big-claw package used for hair, and they worked perfectly on beach chairs as well as our balcony chairs. Items will not fly away!

My two cents. We are avid NLC cruisers, and this is what works for us each time. This may not be what you want to do, of course, and just take your chances once on board. For starters, we know as soon as we make our final payment, we can access our booking on myncl.com.

1) We look at the entertainment venues that accept a reservation. We write down what days/dates/times each one is performing. If possible, we try to book them on sea days, but if not, then we reserve what fits with our port schedule. Put them in your "cart", and check out so you can be assured you got your choices.

2) We always choose the specialty dining as one of our options. So, knowing when we have entertainment booked, we sometimes coordinate a restaurant time, thus, having a nice night! But, we can also reserve on one of the other nights, of course. Again, pull up each restaurant to see the times available, then put them in your "cart", check out! Always print out whatever you reserve!

This may seem too much work, but it really goes fast, and then you can now enjoy your choices without all the hassle of being shut out by waiting later or to be onboard.

Hope this helps for those who tend to get flustered with all this reservation stuff, but it is just the way of cruising on many cruise lines, not just NCL. By the way, we have also done this same approach on other cruise lines! Life is simple once our cruise begins!

FYI: NCL has done away with straws, part of environmental concerns. Just off the Bliss, and nobody seemed to have issues with that!

Also just returned from the repo, San Juan to Bayonne. The first night in Blu was a bit hectic around the popular time of 7-7:30'ish, but after that night, it evened out nicely. The one night they served lobster it was again crowded, and we did get the beeper. In our opinion, the whole idea of the cruise is to relax and get over being in a rush all the time! We'd go back to Cellar Masters with our drink, and enjoy watching the people while our very short wait time came around. We thought Blu was a well-oiled machine, and told them so! From the hostesses to the wait staff, we never had any issues. We did love Armando and Blanton as our servers...they were the best! We thought the food to be very good. You have to remember that you can always order some "standards" from the MDR such as the french onion soup, escargot, caesar salad, etc. We also enjoyed our breakfasts there.

We sailed Epic last November on the TA from Barcelona to Port C. Neither of us had done a TA before, so there were many thoughts over the months as to whether we would like it, love or hate the many days at sea, what the seas would be like, enough to do, etc. etc.

Well, we thoroughly loved the entire experience! Seas were unusually calm after getting away from Barcelona. We had an Spa MS, and that was a plus for a couple with the extra spacing, a jacuzzi tub, and daily access to the marvelous spa! Don't laugh, but there were a few sea days that we enjoyed some foreign movies on the tv. Who knew they could make some great flicks?!

Most already know this, but the longer the cruise, there is a different "crowd". I'm pretty sure this ship was full, and it never felt crowded. People got along, there were no rowdies that we ever encountered, no chair hogging!

I loved the fact that groups of knitters/crocheters, would-be painters, card and games groups, all getting their quality time with each other! The staff was professional. The crew was well-trained. Bar staff and wait staff knew you in just a few days.

Having read many, many other posts about the Epic, it seems most will tell you the same things. It is a different ship to some extent, and the little things (like the bathroom arrangement) should not deter you from enjoying her. In fact, we booked onboard to return to Barcelona next November to do it all again! Hope to see some familiar faces at the bars and restaurants!

We've just returned from an UK trip. Were there for the latest tube "bombing" which was certainly not the smartest of these idiots. We kept on with our tube and taxi travel. Certainly, these days, all the suggestions for safe travel are welcome among all of us. I'm sure it's posted somewhere, but here are our usual things to pass along to friends and our groups. Of course, be vigilant, not standing out as someone posted. Guys, invest in a money clip for your front pocket, nothing in your back pockets if you can do so. Ladies, a few years ago, I invested in a nice over the shoulder purse that has straps you cannot cut. Don't like backpacks. I've loved it! When using an ATM, have a friend/spouse stand behind you to block any wandering eyes. In London, one ATM had a message to be aware of anything suspicious on the machine. So, just give the card slot a little jiggle to make sure it doesn't wiggle, and put a hand under the area where an illegal camera could watch you put in your pin number. Now go enjoy your cruise!

Lake Lure Guy's Wife ;)

This is technically our 3rd cruise as we were on for the inaugural, followed by the 3/day. Currently sailing this week, Jan. 30. We still love this ship and the staff, even though there are many, many children onboard!

The Million Dollar Quartet is not to be missed. Could watch it every cruise...don't leave until the VERY end! Howl at the Moon is always packed, so go at least 1/2 hour early to get a seat!

We have the Ultimate Dining Pkg. To remember, even though other posts say differently, if you choose 7 evening dining venues, you have exchange one of them to dine in Margaritaville. We argued the point, to no avail. As in the past, all of the specialty dining venues are excellent. Please, please make your reservations before leaving home!!

One of our favorite places for quiet times is on the Waterfront. Go early, grab and nice comfy sofa or chair. If you go to Spice H2O, expect a lot of adults for most of the day. The most crowded place is around the main pool, and you will be lucky to grab a chair if you don't go out before sunrise! People hold chairs for long periods of time when you will never see them. No way to control that, I guess, but we don't want to sit out there anyway.

Be sure to visit the Sugarcane Bar at least once during your cruise. Bong, the bartender, is the best for making your favorite mojitos, and he will tell you some funny, funny jokes!

We sailed on the 2/day inaugural as well as the following 3/day. We came prepared for some confusion and glitches as this was the first sailing out of Miami...new pier staff, longer than usual boarding process, new staff boarding. For the most part, we enjoyed the Escape, the exceptions being some who choose to overindulge with their packages. Throughout, there were always Officers milling around who were very approachable. We remembered several from the Breakaway and Getaway who were very proud to be chosen for what they termed "The Dream Team". We also had prepared by pre-reserving our dining and entertainment as there were 10 of us. I reconfirmed once on board, and we were promptly seated at our chosen times in order to easily make the shows. Case in point, one guy was all over the Guest Staff Desk because he had purchased the dining package, then couldn't get any reservations once on board! Saw him later trying to bring in his extended family, one in a wheelchair, two babies in the <1 yr. bracket, into another restaurant. Really?? With so many cruise ship choices, people need to know how promotions work, and how to best use them if they appeal to you. Don't want to play by the rules, then choose another cruise line. As for the crowded bars, the pool areas and very popular areas will always be that way. On the Escape, we found other bars that were totally quiet and bartender(s) ready to serve us. The Waterfront area being one of them. You also won't find a more dedicated and funny bartender than Bong in the Sugarcane Mojito Bar. And while our cabin attendant was the best ever, we didn't want for anything. All said and done, let's give the Escape a chance to get in tune with new staff, new setups, etc. We're headed back at the end of January, so will post again after we return.