hawkman402

That's been our experience.  That small group was always fun though.  I fear that the larger VIBE will take away from that experience.  That was always the selling point for us.

They just doubled the size of VIBE on the Getaway.  Will be interesting to see how much demand there is.

Whenever I have been on VIBE on the Escape or Getaway it has never been crowded.  Seems like people buy the passes but never go.

2 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

For me the most important thing with VIBE is that it's adults only. That was the main reason why we paid for VIBE when we cruised on the Breakaway.

We are pretty shy so for us it was the chance to meet people, hang out at the bar, etc... 

Doubling the size will take that intimacy away.  I also doubt that they will increase the staff at the same ratio they increased the space.

21 hours ago, perditax said:

 

Really? Does that mean there’s no free adults-only sundeck/bar area on Encore, or are they just calling it something else?

That area of the ship has been replaced by the laser tag.  Nothing has been announced that would be similar to Spice H2O but I do wonder where they plan to have the deck parties.

58 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

I'd suggest The Waterfront if quiet is important.

If sunshine is important, there are usually empty loungers away from the pool area. Sometimes, one deck above the pool area is a great option. 

Both are no cost. 

The Waterfront won't stay that way for long.

2 hours ago, tropicallie said:

We've sailed on eleven NCL cruises.  Six have been in Haven by winning bids, not directly booked into Haven.  We have never even laid a towel on a lounger in the Haven sundeck.  It's a great place for quiet time but we're in our 60's and get enough quiet time at home.  On the away class ships our favorite place to be outside is the Spice H2O.  Free,  adults only, a bar and food buffet.  Far more on offer there than on the Haven sundeck.  And we can always find a seat in the shade or under an umbrella.  As far as we're concerned, they can expand all they want as long as they leave the Spice H2O the way it is.  It's the one place we miss when sailing on other class ships.

Spice H2O is not on the Encore so the trend is starting there too.

3 hours ago, Albinroo said:

       On a related note, are they obligated to do anything before the final payment date? Our Panama canal cruise cabin is now about 500 usd less than it was at the time of booking, but because I am in the EU, we will lose the deposit (about 750 usd if I remember correctly) if we cancel before final payment. 

My understanding is before final payment is made you can cancel.  If so they can't stop you from cancelling and re-booking at the better price.  So it's just easier for them to lower the price and credit you the difference.

Having said that, all of my cruises have been "last minute" so I could be wrong.

6 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

I bought a brand new car three months ago, but I just noticed the dealer is now offering the same model for $300 less.  I would never think of going back and asking for a refund on the difference.  Why do people expect cruise lines to do it?

But have you been able to drive that car in those 3 months?  I suspect people think that way because they haven't received the actual product/service yet.

Of course once you make final payment, they owe you nothing. Take the offer and run.

2 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

Boy you guys aren't very encouraging,  but thanks for your honesty..😢  I have a feeling she will not be able to pull this off. We are platinum plus and among the priority boarding as we use a wheel chair but since we are flying in the day of the sailing, there is no way we will get there in time. I couldn't care less for $200plus $$s but she has her own ideas. Guess we will have to continue to be just simple peasant people😱

Also she can only buy for herself.  All people have to be present.

On 6/4/2019 at 9:22 AM, raitch said:

Interesting... when I've cruised out of NY it's been New York State of Mind.  Different song, same never-ending loop.

 On our first cruise they were playing the song from Titanic in the MDR.

1 hour ago, NLH Arizona said:

The only way to solve this, is for a policy where a wheelchair/mobility challenged passenger is only allowed to have one family member accompany them on the ship, if they choose to board in the first group.

The solution would be to assign boarding numbers within the boarding group. You could still let disabled on the ship first but not allow them any special access to vibe, spa, etc until others that arrived before them have a chance. 

Of course that is too much work considering less than 5% of passengers even know about Vibe.

There is no easy solution. 

I have been in VIBE on my last 3 cruises.  Two on the Escape, One on the Getaway.  All 3 we got lucky with later boarding groups (I think 2 through 4).

There are 2 reasons we like VIBE.  First is you get to know most of the other people as well as the bartenders.  We are shy people but this kind of forces us to meet people etc...  Because of this we have met fellow cruisers that we still keep in touch with.

Second is the umbrellas (when the wind allows for them).  We burn pretty easy so can only spend limited amounts in the sun.

As others have said, the area outside VIBE is a good alternative for the bar but it unfortunately doesn't have any umbrellas. This is also true in Spice H2O. 

As others have said, I have never been in VIBE where it was remotely close to full.  There are always tons of available loungers.  Seems like they could sell more tickets or start offering some later in the cruise. 

Having said all of this, we are starting to get priced out  😞 .

Always my first drink!

On 4/8/2019 at 4:28 PM, JennyB1977 said:

In the past 12 months, I have sailed both NCL (Sky to Cuba) and Carnival (Fantasy to Cozumel). They are more similar than they are different. I have reviews of each linked in my signature.

Crazy to me that the Fantasy is still sailing.  I was on her for my honeymoon in 1996 and she wasn't brand new then.

24 minutes ago, rhblake said:

My guess is that NCL will stop training their stewards how to make towel animals and even asking for a towel animal will result in an answer of "I don't know how"

Bingo!

I know it probably isn't the norm but they didn't even look at our edocs last week out of Miami.

I don't doubt that.  Nice profile picture by the way.

They were huge last week on Getaway. Doubt they will disappear completely.  Pretty standard to offer Shrimp Cocktail  at a restaurant like Cagney's on or off shore.

We received them on the Getaway last week.

11 hours ago, worktocruise610 said:

you're making me thirsty!!!! and I have 46 days to go 😞 have a great cruise!!!! and if you want to have one for me that's okay too 🤣

I'll be sure to.  Of course I will probably have enough for all of the commenters on this thread!

2 hours ago, worktocruise610 said:

Used to be a daiquiri but now it's a mudslide - sort of chocolate milk with alcohol lol. I also like the Miami vice, so that's usually the 2nd drink 😉 

Mudslide!  In 4 days!

Thanks for posting.  We will be on the ship this coming Saturday.  One of our go to breakfasts on past cruises it to get the the chocolate croissants and french toast from room service.  Great for eating on a balcony before starting a day in port!

44 minutes ago, lyttleone1977 said:

Did you book the all-inclusive option or just al a carte? We are planning on that day also, but are the last ship in. Needless to say, I am a little nervous about not getting chairs. We love PB though! I was actually very disappointed they went with the all inclusive package. 

We went with all-inclusive hoping that maybe they will hold chairs for us.   No idea if that will work though.

It is absolutely ridiculous that NCL books their flights that tight.  If that's the best they can do, it shouldn't be one of their perks.

O'Sheehans was open pretty early.