renji

On 1/11/2023 at 5:48 PM, Greenpea2 said:

I recently spoke with the Haven "Pre-cruise Concierge Department" to book dining. The woman I spoke to seemed disappointed that we had so few requests! LOL. She keft asking about daily snacks, etc. But she did offer all kinds of fruit juices for our fridge. So I know you can get those.

may I ask how you reached them? our cruise is 1 week out and I wondered if i should try.

6 hours ago, JamesIowa said:

The Beatles, for example, start at 730 in the cavern club. If you want a seat you will want to be there in line about an hour before….so 630. Other main shows start in the theater usually at 730 as well (for the 1st show).

I’ve found that if I grab a 530 dinner at the mdr or buffet I can easily make those shows then catch a late night snack later.  
If I want to catch the early show in the theatre and eat at a specialty restaurant there’s usually plenty of time…especially if you let your waiter know….by getting a 530 or 6 reservation.

 

I was thinking of going to the 930 show by hard to decide without the overall schedule (as we’d like to time ballroom/disco/Latin dancing sets also!). And we are 3 in the Haven and 3 outside so I may wind up in specialty dining…just not sure I can rally the troops to eat so early…

I‘ve only done the Prima and couldn’t get into shows, but didn’t care. These look better!

We are on the January 22 5 day and trying to figure out dinner times that will still allow both dancing and the 930 show?

are the Beatles shows all the same or differ throughout the week?

so, the Connoisseur Collection is listed as carved out of the new Premium Plus Beverage Package (where they also took away the Moet, which very is annoying because I'm not a fan of Veuve, and so I'm considering cancelling), but I cannot find any description of what is actually included in the Connoisseur Collection.  

Anyond know?  is it some special new high end or coravin type experience? are they just coming out with a separate wine bottle package like Cunard's Commodore's Collection?  

or are they just using it to describe items that used to be included in the premium plus package that they are now going to charge extra for.  I find the lack of information in something definitve enough to put in a new brochure very strange...

5 hours ago, molemaui said:

 

No Moet?!?  I can make do with Vueve Clicquot. One bottle per person at dinner means we can have 2 bottles. Disappointing but still OK. Just saw Woodford Reserve off the new list. That's the straw that might break the camel's back. 

Yeah— Try the EH Taylor small batch

7 hours ago, stefmaia said:

Most recent P+ is dated 12/9. No Moet, but Veuve is still there.

My last cruise was Dec 3-10…. Where I realized I much prefer Moet even though less pricy than Veuve!

7 hours ago, stefmaia said:

I just read the small print again,

Does anyone have any idea what the "Connoisseur Collection " actually is??

I think it might be coravin wines by the glass.  I saw that a few times on the Prima but was not surprised at all.

6 hours ago, stefmaia said:

***** NEWEST LIST********

 

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Beverage_Packages_122322.pdf

 

NOTE !!! Some drinks available only in the Haven !! See small print in the Whiskey section

 

@European_CruiseGirl@phillygwm

Looks like just Jw blue. I was thinking of canceling without the Moet but now I’m thinking I actually might go find some of those bourbons and tequilas.  And can always fall back on screwball for my “dessert wine”

7 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@renji A lot is made of what Crystal Cruises was.  I will tell you I was quite impressed with the "Personalized Service", "Butler", "Drinks/Lounges" and "Food".  I was not impressed at the time with the upkeep of the ship.  

 

Oceania will be easy for me to both enjoy and evaluate.  The ship was just Drydocked, the food is always highly rated and I love cooking classes.  I want a chill cruise experience with my friends joining us vs. a energetic experience.  I am at a point where a Scotch and a game of Gin over looking the water is just fine.  Age does that to a person.  Evolutions. 

 

I am happy to report back and thank you for asking.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Enjoy!

19 hours ago, akny said:

Sorry things have changed. Ordered the yellow label at french restaurent. Waiter wanted to see everyone's card before bringing glasses. 

I did notice that at Le Bistro. Did not happen in Haven or Los Lobos. 

2 minutes ago, molemaui said:

Never sailed Crystal but have sailed Oceania several times. Absolutely the best food at sea in my opinion. (Was looking forward to eating at Nobu on Crystal but they're gone). Silversea is almost as good but a bit too formal for me. 9 of 12 nights on my last Silversea cruise several months ago I had to wear a jacket after 6:00. Very little distinction between formal and semi formal. Between Silversea and Oceania, I'd go Oceania every time. 

 

Currently booked on Prima in Haven. So far, the cost per night is higher than my last Silversea or Oceania cruise. Hope it's worth it!

The Nobu on Crystal was amazing but the nightlife a little sleepy (although they sometimes had good dance hosts).  I once heard Oceania had less healthy options? Silversea doesn’t sound right for us in that case.  We did the Princess Grill on Cunard and thought the food was amazing, and m there was some balance on jacket vs button down nights, and at least an amazing ballroom and at least on QM2 a decent nightclub.   

I just did the Owner’s suite on Prima, I loved it, looking forward to comparing the bliss.  I’m more into the gym/spa, dinner and dancing than shows though…

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Part of the power of this and other streams on the Premium Plus Beverage Package is "Real Time" reviews.  When things change to report it.  The addition of the Free at Sea PLUS program that included the Premium Plus Beverage Package added many people to get this package.  

 

Every year NCL makes changes to this package.  Not that they have real interest in it, some of those change are good but most of those changes are restrictive.  They claim many are Supply Chain issues and I call foul.  I just cruised on the Breakaway and when you have to go from Bar to Bar for a decent Chardonnay something is not the same. 

 

My heart indicates this is just another cost cutting effort with fully filled ships.  It seems, once the guests came back, some of the benefits of this and other programs have taken a hit.  When a company loses as much as NCL did, something had to give.  

 

Please keep the real time data coming.  I will not be cruising on NCL for a long time.  I will be cruising on one of there sister brands Oceania.  That choice was selfishly to have a smaller ship, that could go into smaller port in Europe, with far less young children, and a much older crowd.  I am giving up Water Slide for cooking classes. So I hope those posting here will continue to do so.  Thanks to everyone for thinking this topic is a good topic.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
 

Looking forward to hearing how Oceania is and the comparison to Crystal.  I’m considering Silversea but like the liveliness on RCL/NCL. 

9 hours ago, Cruisegirl92x said:

Does this mean veuve is available by the bottle now but no Moet? Very confusing with all these changes!

Also who knows if Moet will be available by the glass even if it’s specifically been taken off the list.  The whites are otherwise uninspiring.  I know Veuve costs more, buy I prefer Moet, kind of a bummer….

1 hour ago, AtlantaAlly said:

They have just released a new document of the inclusions of premium plus. They have really devalued it in my opinion. 

removed: (to name just a few)

patron reposado

johnny Walker blue

bulleit

buffalo trace

mccallans terra

Gentleman jack

crown royal

chandon brut

moet and Chandon imperial 

simi cabernet

kendall Jackson zinfandel

ferrari merlot

resonance Pinot noir 

 

there are a couple of additions- but it’s not an equal trade with the wine list basically cut in half. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just did a google search and couldn’t find it—would you be able to copy it?  I basically drink Moet and occasional wine with dinner.  Feeling like I could save a lot just skipping it… 

4 hours ago, hallux said:

You'll find discussion of such in this thread from a few months ago (found by entering 'airwrap' in the search box)..

 

Thank you!

Hi, has anyone successfully used theirs on the Bliss or similar class?  We’ll be in the Haven 2 Bedroom and would love to use mine. I’ve got both the EU/UK 220V and the US 110V so can bring either. The US version worked in the owner’s suite on the Prima, I just had to plug in where the phone was at the coffee table and use the mirror by the front door.  Would appreciate any advice about which to take!

On 12/15/2022 at 11:16 PM, behtyas said:

 

Bit of a late reply, but maybe that was due to Move Up?

 

Was jsut on Dec 4-11 Beyond sailing booked directly in EV and Ley Voyage (à la carte) was included, however the wine pairing/tasting menus were not.

 

Another anecdotal bit from both Edge PH and Beyond EV is the additional entree charge mentioned in the menu for Fine Cut is also covered which is great if you want a bit of surf & turf.

yes it was included, they gave us the wrong info before we boarded!

On 12/22/2022 at 4:13 PM, DCGuy64 said:

I honestly found myself not wanting to drink as much this cruise, that's all. I drank almost no wine and stuck to cocktails, water, and soft drinks. I've written about this before, but paying for an upgraded beverage package was just an enticement to overdo it and I was sick of being sick. I got everything I wanted without paying anything extra (except for a couple of things), and I'm fine with that. 

this makes a lot of sense...I also don't drink much, but that is exactly why I loved the package, I had tons of water and sparkling water, a daily Starbucks and a bottle of Moet or a bottle of nice wine with dinner (I actually prefer Moet to Veuve). I liked not thinking about it and not feeling compelled to finish my drink!  And I needed the unlimited internet so that was nearly half the cost, and once I took dining into account it was really not bad at all to have the plus drinks upgrade. It really comes down to our own psychology!  

On 12/22/2022 at 10:13 AM, JandC_Cruising said:

I can tell you from personal experience we have always been able to share the bottles of wine with anyone at the table.  Most recently, we sailed with 3 adult children.  We had the P+ and they only had the standard package.  We ordered two bottles of P+ wine with every dinner (typically one red and one white) and all enjoyed the wine of their choice.

On another cruise, we even once shared our bottle of Veuve at Le Bistro with a single mom who was with her young son sitting next to us.  We just asked the waiter if we could pour her the rest of the bottle and he happily ran to get a third glass.

 

That is good to know....traveling in the Haven with a 24 year old daughter who is not a heavy drinker, but would like to share our bottles of wine and water at dinner...I would have done the free at sea plus but it is not available for the third in the room and I think she would choose streaming internet (itself $180 for the 3rd in the room) over the plus upgrade. I don't see her spending $174 on the occasional Starbucks (and we have two plus packages and one Starbucks drinker...)

On 11/16/2022 at 5:49 PM, Sthrngary said:

Hello Everyone, I would like to ask for some help!  If you have followed this Streams on the Haven.  The original stream on the Haven or the stream focused on the Premium Plus Beverage Package; you know me and my writing style.

 

I just got an email from someone that conveniently left their name off.  It came to my personal email account which is very rare because I don't give that email out often.  However I am very easy to find.  It seems they followed my instructions for a butler letter on a recent NCL Epic cruise in October and got very good results.  They thanked me.

 

The last paragraph is as follows: 

 

"I sent you a pre-cruise email asking about my (draft) butler doc but you never responded... which is consistent with your "focus" the past 6 months on improving your status as a cruise critic "influencer" rather than seeking to "help" people asking questions/advice. Not to worry... i have already blocked your email as spam so no response is necessary/invited... //"

 

To everyone on CruiseCritic.com.  I might be well known on CruiseCritic.com but I am NO influencer.  I have never gotten one single dollar from a social media company, a person I have helped, a person I have answer their questions or a cruise company.  I do this as a hobby and for my personal enjoyment.  On the occasional times I have gotten a personal email, I have answered it quickly and to my best ability.  I do the same here on CruiseCritic.com when someone put @sthrngary in the context of your response. 

 

This last paragraph upset me.  It came across that I am some how obligated to respond to every inquiry.  What is funny is I do respond to every inquiry unless I don't receive one or accidentally delete it. Could happen.

 

What is your thoughts on this subject?  I would really like to know. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I don't think you need to think twice about it.  You are always unequivocally gracious and generous. You actually don't owe anything to a stranger just because they decide they're entitled to demand something of you. Sometimes people bring their own interpersonal issues and even mental imbalance to these interactions. Just double down on your kindness and enjoy your positive interactions here!

On 11/14/2022 at 1:59 PM, buchman67 said:

@renjiI am on Prima Dec 3rd too.  H6 The two bedroom.  Would love to meet and show rooms.  Getting super excited.

It is getting close! Let's keep in touch--  You'll recognize us by my guy's beard 😂

On 10/30/2022 at 6:07 PM, Sthrngary said:

I thought it was there.  Sorry, I will attempt to do so in the future and thank you for the complement.  

 

A little history.  When I first attached the letter and how I used it, I got so much push back.  People hated it and especially objected to my upfront gratuities.  Fast forward to today.  I get at least two requests a week for the letter.  No more push back and everyone uses it differently. 

 

It makes me feel good that something I do, gives others benefit.  It keeps me motivated so thank you.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

Yet another question about that—we’ve historically started with a half to a third of the total tip and then given another $100 to $200 at the end depending on service.  I would worry if I tipped it all upfront that might confuse the butler/attendant/waiter’s expectations. Or am I overthinking?

Hi, next month I will be on the Prima and it's my first time on NCL since a short cruise to Cuba on the Sky years ago.  I'm used to Cunard (beautiful ballroom and t least on QM2 a good late night disco next door) and RCCL (Boleros for Latin dancing, 2 clubs on Oasis and one on Adventure with a silent disco a few times).  Even Celebrity Beyond had 3 nights with a silent disco (including a red channel with Latin music) and several nights at the Martini Bar with Latin or Motown dancing (the nightclub was a dud though).  what is on offer with NCL and especially the Prima? any partner dancing, silent disco?  or just EDM and kids?

On 10/5/2022 at 2:43 PM, Sthrngary said:

@grobma Now that is an interesting question.  As you know, my answers are never short.  The short answer is most bartenders have no clue.  The ones that do know most of the time, KEY WORDS most of the time is if your ship has a Wine Specific Bar or a Whiskey Specific Bar. 

 

On my last cruise on the Joy as I said, I was not in the Haven.  Yet, on day one, I walked in and said hello to the Haven Concierge.  He welcomed me back.  I told him point blank, I was not in the Haven but I would love to have one drink with a friend who was in the Haven at the Haven Bar.  He said, "Mr. Gary, you can come in anytime you want."  My response was, "I did not pay for it and therefore I do not deserve it.  Just this one drink if it is ok."

 

While at the bar, the bartenders also said hello.  They asked me if I wanted 1942 tequila.  I said yes.  Then I asked them if there was any other bottles and which bars they were at.  He said, "None that he knew of however, there was on bottle in storage."  He offered to have that bottle delivered to the the "A" List Bar that evening.  Sure enough, that night at 5, I went to the bar and said, "Hello, my name is Gary." Before I could finish, the bartender smiled and pulled out an unopened bottle of my favorite tequila.  The next morning I went to the Observation deck for a Starbucks coffee and at the bar was yet another bottle of my tequila which looked lonely.  That was by accident finding it.  

 

The bottle line is rare things are indeed a scavenger hunt.  Remember, many of the things I drink are not even on the approved list for the Premium Plus Package.  Some were a surcharge but that was only once for Louis.  I had to try that.  That was a long way to say, it is an inexact science. Sorry.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

What strikes me most about the story is how well you were treated.  When staff are good to you, it changes the whole dynamic of the experience.  I’ve not done NCL but the Celebrity staff could not do enough for us and it elevated the experience. I was worried that NCL would not provide the same warm and generous vibe so it’s nice to hear this story. 

On 10/3/2022 at 11:42 AM, Sthrngary said:

This comment might seem funny coming from me.  For those of you that don't know, I am the author of this topic.  We all my topics, my goal is always to allow all of us to have "Realistic Expectations".  This goal was set because on a past cruise, my expectations were, lets say kindly, not realistic.  It was completely my fault because I created a vision in my head that was more of a day dream then reality.  Lesson learned.

 

On to my main point.  If you are choosing the Premium Plus Beverage Package for a specific brand or type of wine or spirits, be careful.  The ship might run out, it might have a supply chain issue.  Then you get onboard, ask for it and it is not on your cruise.  Happens all the time.  

 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, look at the offerings and if you see something you want, ask?  I know this because a couple of years ago, I was at a bar, had the Premium Plus Program and asked for  a great tequila.  The Bartender asked to see my card and then brought out a tall bottle I had never seen before.  It was, Don Julio 1942.  It was not on the list but was no charge with this program. If I never would have asked the question, I would have never had the opportunity.  

 

Four cruises later, I asked a bar tender for the Don Julio 1942 and he told me he did not have any and did not think it was on the ship.  Some would have been disappointed.  I used this as a game.  Fine a bar that had that tequila.  I was on the Joy at the time.  With no luck, I went to Starbucks for a coffee at the observation deck.  Next to Starbucks is a full bar.  In the back row of all the bottles was the distinctive bottle of 1942.  Of all places to find this.  The bartender there said, another full bottle was in the "A" list bar between Cagney's and the French Restaurant. 

 

I would have been fine not having this drink.  But making it a quest for the Grail was fun also.  Cruise are what we make of them.  They never go completely to plan.  We get disappointments and surprises.  Most of this is out of our control.  Go with the flow or in my case shot of Tequila.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

So fun—although I like a sweeter extra anejo rather than 1942 (like Dos Artes or Cuervo Reserva de la Familia ), it might be fun to see what else there is. And I can stick with champagne if nothing strikes me. I’m actually getting the package to not have to pay individually for bottled water and sparkling water, and to have a bottle at dinner and not wait for glasses, so if I find a premium tequila or bourbon, that’s just gravy…