Tutontow

1 minute ago, Fartlek said:

Don’t get me wrong. I like to cruise and I’m a fan of NCL but I do believe their profit margins may influence some decisions.  I would rather use my own judgment than let them tell me it safe.  

Oh, i'm a firm believer that when it comes down to it I and only I, am responsible for myself.  I'm not one of those people that relies on big government, big brother to change my diaper.

33 minutes ago, Fartlek said:

The cruise industry will do a great job of monitoring-  Ya sure.  I like your optimism.  Good luck with that 

Roughly 30 million passengers a year generating 120 billion dollars in revenue.  They have an awful lot to lose if they blow it on this one.

27 minutes ago, DAVLIB007 said:

NCL is not letting their workers on the ships who have traveled to Asia just as they are not letting the guest as well  . So no difference . Relax. Ships will probably be cleaner than ever before. Probably better than any Mall Restaurant etc. that you frequent every week

Well said.  I have no problem cruising.  Rest assured the cruise industry will do a great job of monitoring the situation.  IMHO a cruise ship will be one of the safest places to be.

27 minutes ago, DAVLIB007 said:

 

10 hours ago, GA Dave said:

The shortest time it ever took to produce vaccines for a new strain of coronavirus/flu illnesses was three years.  The article I read last night that included an interview with an official from the CDC was they were hoping to have something for this one in half that time (18 months).  I really do not think it is possible to get something before late 2021.

They already have a vaccine.  They hope to start clinical trials in early April.   https://www.wsj.com/articles/drugmaker-moderna-delivers-first-coronavirus-vaccine-for-human-testing-11582579099

24 minutes ago, mdchachi said:

If it’s only her she should have no trouble finding a spot in the sun. At least one of the chairs would be available and she can move to a lounger by keeping her eyes open. Also not every one wants to sit out on the deck all day. You can grab chairs when people get up to go to lunch or move on. 

Exactly, don't fret and ruin your cruise before you even board.  I heard so many bad thing about the Epic.  My wife and I sailed with an open mind and we had a great cruise.  So much so we are now NCL fans over CCL.

I fully understand the OP's pain.  To him hanging out in the sun with a nice drink is a huge part of his cruise experience.  

In my case if the casino was ever so crowded on couldn't get on a blackjack table or if the Observation Lounge was so crowded I couldn't get a seat at the bar, a huge part of my cruise experience would be ruined.  Fortunately, so far that has not been the case.

I wouldn't sail Disney if it was free because I would be bored out of my mind on sea days without a casino.

1 hour ago, BostonGal35 said:

i get that its frustrating if sitting in the sun all day is your thing.  fortunately for me it isnt. i avoid the sun like the plague and am happiest when i find a chair away from the noise of the pool deck, in the shade, where i can listen to the ocean, read, nap, etc.

 

the pool bars are always the slowest because of volume.  for that reason, we never even attempt to get drinks there.  plenty of other bars on board that will instantly get you a drink with minimal lines.

 

as for cigars, most people do not want to smell and breathe smoke. i honestly like that areas for smoking are limited.

Having lived in Florida for 60 years and as a former sun worshiper who still loves boating and fishing,  you should see my skin.  I have to wear long sleeves and sunscreen 24/7.  I take for granted the blazing sun, swimming pools and hanging out by the pool listening to music.  I never realized how fortunate I am to have all of this 10 steps from my family room.

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

I haven't sailed on the Encore yet, so I can't speak to a lot of your experiences, but I believe the buffet is laid out like the one on the Bliss and I could not agree more about the layout being terrible. With all the small stations, you feel like you have to go around and check every single one to make sure you don't miss anything and there is NO FLOW to it AT ALL. It was my number one complaint the first time I sailed on the Bliss. It's bad enough that the buffets are always overcrowded, but add in the disorganized layout and it is pure chaos.

I totally agree about the flow and the stations.  Fortunately my wife and I really don't care for buffets.  Even when we are in Las Vegas, the king of buffets, we never go.  We usually eat two meals a day.  We can catch breakfast or lunch in The Local or the MDR.  Then go back for supper.

1 hour ago, crusintime123 said:

Just got back from the NCL ENCORE.  I was on the 2/16/20 sailing. 

 

Will I sail NCL again, maybe.  Will I sail the ENCORE again, not even if it was free.   

This sounds like me with Allegiant Air.

2 minutes ago, rkelly21 said:

We do about $100 per day but never got much.

Call Casinos at Sea, 1-877-752-9625,   and see what they can do for you.  All they can say is no.  It never hurts to ask.

4 minutes ago, rkelly21 said:

Thanks for the advice. I am not a big gambler so I will take your advice. I'm not in your $1000 per day category.

Good Luck.

Exactly, play at a level you are comfortable with.  You never know what will happen.  You might get on a penny slot and play all day on 20 dollars.  There was a time my wife and I budgeted $100.00.  Now that we are retired we have a lot more fun money.

22 minutes ago, coastcat said:

 

This is another reason I like NCL. I'm a Pacific Northwest gal. "Dressy" means wearing the nice fleece pullover.

I'm from Florida, dressy is closed toed shows and a shirt with a collar.

1 hour ago, rkelly21 said:

How much typically do you have to spend in a casino to get a comp cruise?

Never play for comps.  Always get rated. Play at your normal rate.  Check with Casinos at Sea when you get back and see what they can do for you.  Having said all of that sometimes you get lucky and can play all day long on $100.00 other times that $100.00 is gone in a minute.  My wife and I always allow $1000.00 a day for gambling.  We like to gamble.  If they didn't have casinos on ships we would never sail.  The fact that we get comped cabins and free drinks just sweetens the pot.  To reiterate, never gamble just for comps.  It will cost you more in the long run than if you just paid for it.  I will say on our last three NCL cruises we lost roughly 3k on the first two and then won 12k on the third one.  We like to play blackjack and we got extremely luck on a $100.00 table.

We sail NCL because we receive comped cabins through the casino.  Quite honestly the day we have to pay full price on any cruiseline  we will most likely quit cruising.  

On 2/21/2020 at 4:33 PM, g683002 said:

 

Craps table is currently at $10 min with 3/4/5 odds. Blackjack has been at $10 all week with 6/5 on bj. 
 

Thanks

$50.00 a hand is an eight deck shoe that is hand shuffled. Dealer hits soft 17.

$25.00 and less is continuous shuffle. Dealer hits soft 17.

$100.00 and up is six decks hand shuffled dealer holds on soft 17.

Anything less than $25.00 pays 6:5 Continuous shuffle.

I did hear from two CAS reps that if it is slow you can ask for the $50.00 table to be lowered to $25.00.  That would be sweet.

I will be on the Bliss in May and I am actually trying to learn craps.  I plan on playing craps and VP a lot and then the $50.00 table when I feel froggy.  I will say I had the best run of my life in the high limit room on the Bliss.

It looks like you are an CCL player.  NCL's CAS is wonderful.  I really don't play a whole lot and I have an inside cabin comp anytime, anywhere I want to go.  When I played on CCL I was limited to whatever cruises they would offer.

19 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Siglo's contract on the Bliss runs through May.

Thanks, we will be on her May 24th

Do they still have the band "Siglo" playing on board?  If you are a gambler please check what the craps minimum bet is.  TIA

I am so glad you had a great time.  We will be on her in late May and can't wait.  I am hoping they get a handle on the sleepy heads in the OL.

34 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

Don’t be too concerned, the Bliss is a great ship. Observation Lounge is spectacular. It has Spice H20, District Brew House and great restaurants like Los Lobos and Le Bistro. Jersey Boys is absolutely first class. If you don’t have a great time it’s your fault not the ship’s.

Dang how could I forget the DBH,

3 hours ago, GA Dave said:

And keep a screenshot of that section of the T&C's on your phone.

Great advice

I sailed the Bliss with a very experienced cruiser (60 plus cruises over several cruiselines).  She said it was the best cruise she has ever been on.  She and her husband are joining us on an another Bliss cruise this May.  My wife and I absolutely loved the Bliss.  We have only been on 12 cruises but it is by far our favorite ship.  I can't vouch for spring break but I will say for us the food, entertainment, bars, staff, casino and most of all the Observation Lounge made it a great cruise.

On 10/25/2019 at 5:22 PM, melobstah55 said:

Hi  yes I did post on St Thomas too.. Figured I'd try here too.. Champagne Cat Cruise we did last October and loved it! Wasn't sure if enough time.. Thanks for the advice 👍

Champagne Cat Cruise & Snorkel was the best excursion we have ever been on.

1 hour ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

 

They had Bulleit and Buffalo Trace, both of which are decent IMO.

I totally agree.  I love, I mean really love Woodford but Bulleit and Buffalo Trace will do just fine.  My problem is I had better not start drinking Bourbon until way late in the day.

2 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

it actually was more challenging than I thought it would be! Especially when I was having those drinks sitting/hanging out at the bar, chatting with people. Once my drink ran out, it was pretty hard not to order a new one from that same bar!

Quite honestly the OL is so nice and so close to our cabin we very rarely drank anywhere else.  I will make sure to check out all of the other bars n our May cruise.