Langham1865

1 hour ago, meyermtacmj said:

I was on Epic for the New England/Atlanta Super Bowl in 2017. They showed it on the big screen on deck. I'm sure it was probably being shown elsewhere on board, but it was awesome viewing up top! 

I think I was on that one as well.... I think it was also on the TV's in O'Sheehans and in the atrium big screen

FWIW, I was on the Breakaway December 5th sailing where passengers were required to wear masks.  No one with a drink in hand, whether walking or sitting was asked to put a mask on.  We were at less than 50% capacity and there always seemed to be plenty of outdoor seating.   A few times I sat outside of Syd Normans on the Waterfront when I wasn't drinking to listen to the music.  As the week went on, mask wearing seemed to get more lax.

Cigar lounge was open on my 12/5 departure from NOLA on the Breakaway!!!!!!!

This sounds like what I will do on my stop in Costa Maya in early December!!!!

I certainly understand wanting and hoping you will still be able to do this Dream Cruise.  You have a little over 2 months until probable final payment.  I doubt, like many others, that NCL will change their policy on fully vaxxed.  There is a chance that approval could be given to get you kids vaxxed in time, but If I were you, I'd start looking into plan B dream vacation.  That way if things don't change between now and final payment, it won't feel like such a blow if you have to cancel.

4 minutes ago, Sue Do-Over said:

There is a strong preference by NCL to have surprise or invalid charges corrected while still aboard.  Guest services can review your charges and available credits before the final charges get sent to your credit card.

 

Remember that your specialty dining package includes a set number of meals (and you can't share or trade those credits between guests).  Once you have used up your individual 'allowance', you are charged full price for any additional meals in the specialty restaurants.

 

Even if you used a credit, you would have been presented a receipt to sign (and to add any additional tips) at the restaurant, so you (should have) had an opportunity to confirm the charge.

 

If you ate the meal and signed the receipt, you are likely stuck with the charge, because you were given the opportunity to check it at the table, and could review your account on your stateroom TV and on the app throughout the cruise. 

Your response in incredibly unhelpful and pointless as the guest said they have already disembarked.... Why even respond if you are not able to assist in pointing the OP in a direction to try to resolve the matter?

I wonder if I can use my On Board credit from my NCL credit card to pay for cruise next... I guess I will find out December when I am on the Breakaway...

although it has never been a big concern to me until I ready this.  now that I think about it, I prefer by the closet, not by the balcony.  I understand there is not as much room to access the closet.  But for me, thinking back, when the bed is by the entrance/closet, the room feels more open and brighter for me.

HELLO BREAKAWAY... her home is NYC forever... she may sail from other places... but NYC is her home...  I will be seeing her in December out of New Orleans

On 9/2/2021 at 2:40 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

Bliss

 

Better Haven

Better ship

Aside from the Haven, what makes it a better ship to you?  not debating, just curious...

I thoroughly enjoyed my one and (so far but hopefully not) only Aft balcony.  It was to Alaska in the Eurodam.  I did feel slight shimmy once or twice, but not noticeable... and to answer the question of ash, hardly noticed any at all.  Loved it for the wake and many of the other reasons Crew News mentioned as well!

I've never had a bad cruise, certainly never had a cruise so negatively affected by the ship that I would never sail that ship again for the right Itinerary.  With that being said, I am not a huge fan of Epic, only because it doesn't have a proper promenade deck).  Though I love her Spice H2O and Studio Lounge.   I've sailed Epic as many times as any other ship, so, again it hasn't kept me away totally.  Also, when I was on the Sky she was in need of some physical TLC and I believe went into dry dock shortly after, so I would be surprised if the issues I saw remain.  

Given NCL's current dust up with the Florida Governor, it will be interesting to see if its resolved by then or if they have to change the Gem.... AGAIN

When I first started reading this thread, Sid, I though you were going to give us a Virtual/Live of what your cruise would have been LOL😆🤣

And as far as getting crew... I know from crew that the Jade has crew onboard already and crew was on the Joy before those sailings were cancelled... I am guessing,  the Joy's crew will be moved to Bliss...or at least to other ships.

6 hours ago, rbschultz said:

Not only that, but the cruises out of Singapore have to follow such strict guidelines including wearing a wristband for contact tracing. Hows that for freedom?

contracting Covid is a  much bigger loss of freedom...and many lines are using wristband technology to replace key cards, so no real difference

A few initial thoughts...  It look absolutely beautiful.  After doing a few mock booking, the prices seem very high... some can be chalked up to pent up demand and wanting to be on the new ship.  But most of them are out of whack high, especially the studios.  Maybe i missed it but I didn't see anything about the food hall priding.  Will it be complimentary?  My bet is it will be for a fee!

Definitely be proactive about it on the first leg, as it won't go through the system in time to be on their reports otherwise.

On 4/6/2021 at 4:24 PM, sid_9169 said:

Tune in right here in August, and you'll be along for the ride first hand... Live Review will be incoming...

i've been missing a Sid review

I think it's all about expectations... If you are expecting the same food, service and experience as on Oceania, you might be disappointed.  If you you expect good food in general, but not what you get on Oceania, and mix in some specialty dining, you will enjoy yourself.    As you said, it is a port intensive, European based cruise, so the  trip is less about what the ship experience.   I hope you enjoy it, the Baltics are high on my list of "to do" cruises. 

as mentioned, it's normal.  I like to walk through Fan Tan alley, grab some Chinese food for dinner, poke in a shop or 2 and grab a pedicab back to the ship...

i wouldn't be surprised if things are changed when cruising resumes regarding  trivia and similar types of events... what was may not be done, may be done differently or may different venues... will have to wait and see...

Most of the crew still on every ]cruise ship on every line is no longer getting paid... basically only essential crew to keeping the ship running bare bones are getting paid.... he makes it seem like this is only an NCL thing,

Aside from knowing what to pack (cool to warm to hot weather cloths) I thinking this is pretty fun

As someone who has sailed mostly on NCL and once on HAL (though easily one of the best) I think your assessment is spot on.  Although I sense you may have been holding back some of your opinions on your experience, I really think this is a great preservative for anyone who sails HAL and might have been considering NCL.  Though if you had sailed NCL's megaships, you might have though otherwise.  I do sail solo often, and enjoy the entertainment on NCL, i do miss they don't have more enrichment.  I don't think I will ever sail some of the newer (Bliss, Joy, Encore) NCL ships, because of what they have done to the top decks.  I do enjoy the Breakaway/Getaway and Escape.  Although top deck lacking, I love their waterfront, which is the promenade deck were they have added al fresco bars and dining in their "specialty dining"