DreamingBig1

Is this kind of a hint that the new 2016-2017 sailings will be available tomorrow 3/11/2015?

This is very reassuring. I am new to the boards and a one time cruiser. My family booked NCL's Escape for spring break in March of next year. From some of the reviews I've read, it sounds like the food was going to be terrible. I was thinking to myself, can it really be so awful?

 

For my one and only previous cruise, my wife and I went on RCCL's Explorer of the Seas when it was brand new for our honeymoon. We loved it. I am a foodie and understand how hard it is to cook for thousands of people. So yes, you have to set your expectations. But we thought the food was good then but not James Beard or Michelin star quality. If its like a wedding reception, then I'll be happy. Ha ha.

As you can see from my signature, we are booked for the Escape in December 2016. For that cruise, because of how many neat specialty venues there is going to be on the Escape, I think we are going to splurge and get the dining package. For our scheduled Star cruise, I don't think we are.

Thanks for the replies. Those are my feelings on MDR food as well. I have found that on my previous sailings that the food is on average not as good as the food at land based places.

What we love is the experience. Three courses is a treat. Having the ability to try so many things is also awesome.

We thought the food on Disney was decent but not anything to write home about. Their buffet was kind of gross.

RCI was good, not great. Their buffet was like any hit and miss.

Service on both those lines was awesome. Have to give RCI the upper hand between the two.

Celebrity we did not like at all. Food, or service. The buffet was not any better than RCI's even though it is supposed to be. The biggest disappointment was service. Not good. The staff just didn't seem nice. We don't expect a lot.

I am sure we will be happy with the offerings. Just wondering, because it seemed like every response to a post was one slam after another of NCL's food. Made it difficult to believe.

Havana Daydreamin we recently booked a cruise on the NCL Escape partly because of their current promotion, but also because of its neat venues.

One of those is a Margaritaville and a Five O'clock Somewhere bar.

Remembering your profile, I thought you might find that interesting.

We have 2 NCL cruises booked and are excited to be trying NCL for the first time.

I read a post on another CC forum where many posters said that NCL's MDR food was not good and below that of RCI, Carnival, and Celebrity.

I know that the better food is in the specialty restaurants, but is the MDR food really that poor?

I have seen pictures and watched videos and it looks like food that we have had with RCI, Disney and Celebrity.

We have cruised Disney, RCI and Celebrity.

Disney. The MDR (rotating) were all pretty good. Buffet was just ok. The quick fix places such as a burger place was bleh. Not good. Palo did not live up to the rave reviews. Would have rather done the MDR venue.

RCI. The service in the MDR was fantastic. The buffet was decent. The food was ok. Nothing special. Loved the quick food venues like the promenade café, and Jade Court where pretty good quick sushi could be had. The tutti salad bar in the MDR was outstanding. Love the MDR lunch with RCI.

Celebrity. Here is where we were pretty disappointed. Overall the food in all venues was just ok. No better than RCI or Disney. The pool side burgers were awesome! We went to a specialty restaurant, Qsine. It was a neat experience, but once was enough. Its a restaurant where they bring all sorts of creative small portion meals. Again, neat but once was enough. The MDR and buffet just weren't that great. The services, surprisingly was not that great all round, not just the restaurants. Really surprised there. It's not like we expect that much either. Just friendly people.

We are scheduled for NCL. We expect just the typical MDR type food. Good service, terrific presentation, but just enough as far as taste is concern.

Never cruised Carnival. Not against trying it.

After 3 cruises, here is my feeling on cruise food overall. The service is outstanding. The venues are really fun. The food is not as good as a land based restaurant. Maybe its the quality of ingredients. Maybe its the water they use. Maybe its the lack of seasonings. Who knows?

The experience of being served three courses, having a meal with a view and the freedom to try so much all the time is what make dining on any cruise ship a great experience.

Just keep your expectations to a minimum, and there is no way that you can be disappointed.

Road scholars, quilters, knitters, inspiration, lifeway, amway, jazzdagen, etc. Just the "usual" groups that are listed on charters and groups threads. Quest to figure out what groups comprise the "3 groups booked" on our pending cruise was so we could get an idea of the numbers involved. 30 group members quite different "share the ship" experience versus 500 group members...

Cool.... I would prefer to not to be with a very large chartered group. A small chartered group wouldn't be that bad.

When is dry dock supposed to wrap up and be finished?

How much is it? Can you purchase it ahead of time, or do you have to purchase it on the ship?

We are unable to confirm early dining on May 31st Zaandam Alaska sailing. Per PCC, this is due to space being held for a group, thus ship is not confirming anyone for early dining. It may or may not become available closer to cruise date.

 

I am less concerned about dining times than I am about cruising with a group large enough to hold an entire dining room. PCC will not tell me anything about the group. I searched for all the usual suspects in all the usual places and can't find any information about said group. I plan to call HAL group booking department and will post any info I get from them. Does anyone else have any info about this?

Who are what are the usual suspects you are referring to?

Very excited about this.

Bouncing off cell phone towers, straight to your electronic device for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks!

Does anybody have any copies of the frozen drink menus?

I haven't seen that CNBC special. I'll have to try and find that. Glad you enjoyed the review and pics!

It's called Big Money on the High Seas. Look it up on Youtube.

Thanks everyone. :)

 

I just can't wait. 14 days from today.

 

Patti

Promise to post pictures? LOL ;)

Hope you both have a blast!

The bar sounds neat, but the fact that they serve Svedka doesn't sound so good.

Thanks for the review and pics! Glad you had a wonderful time.

We are new to NCL, scheduled to sail in December. Its great to see what the ships have to offer.

I just watched that CNBC special that took place on the Pearl a couple weeks ago. Its neat to see it now in pics.

Do they have alcohol available in the buffet's?

I don't think the OP was trying to be a troll or stir trouble. There probably was a issue or misunderstanding on either end. Life is full of changes.

So let's be nice here.

One thing that impressed me about the NCL board is that people don't seem to jump on other people over posts they don't agree with.

Does the Market Café have a crepe maker? Saw a video of the Jade and it looked awesome.

The important question of the bunch :rolleyes:;):D LOL

that the current promotion is a regular thing, so the UBP policy will continue to become a moot point. ;)

An Oasis class ship!

On the Oasis westbound TA last year, there were over 800 D+ and about 1000 D, and IIRC around 80 Pinnacle.

Trans Atlantic cruises probably would have on average a higher amount of D and above cruises, because from what I understand they usually have people who have the ability to travel 10 to 14 days, to basically a cruise to nowhere (a few ports sprinkled in). People who have that type of time are usually retired and sail more.

However, assuming the ship was close to capacity at a 5,400, minus the 1, 880D and above occupants, the vast majority are still not D and above (3,520).

They probably have other ways to meet the bottom line with the D and above crowd.

I've been thinking about this, actually. Our kids are in high school and I do think they would enjoy it - more so than Disney which has a teen club but as a ship is really geared toward younger kids. I think our sons would enjoy the quiet places on Quantum, the music, and the pools. And the dining, although, as I said before, I think Disney had better dining overall. That was actually our oldest son's favorite part of Disney.

Our kids first cruise was on Disney, and the following year they went on the Freedom and enjoyed it more because of the multitude of options and places. The pools were awesome.

Thanks for answering. Just trying to see how family friendly a Quantum class ship is.

Sent using trained typing rabbits.

I am having a blast following along on your adventure. The pics and descriptions you give are making this very fun to read. Thank you for do this!

Ok it's been 5 days. Do you think your children would enjoy Quantum?

The reason I would like to know is that we have kids, and wonder how the Quantum is for families.

:)