JamieLogical's Live from the Breakaway 10/30 - 11/6

[JamieLogical]

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

@JamieLogical You are my idol.  15 drinks???  The last time I did that was the last night of a cruise in 2019.  I remember it like it happened yesterday which is funny because yours did happen yesterday.  All kidding aside. I know I can only speak for myself.  Your "Overview", Pictures and thoughts of your cruise are excellent and appreciated by all that read them.  Not many folks know how much time it takes to do what you are doing.  Thanks for giving us some much needed entertainment.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

I definitely wasn't feeling like a hero yesterday morning. Only had 5 drinks yesterday and feel human today, fortunately.

[detroitlions]

19 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

I had a lazy morning and got off to a slow start. I was too late for breakfast in the MDR, so I went to O'sheehan's. Again. I actually briefly contemplated the buffet for breakfast, but when I got to the top of the stairs, I could hear how many people were in there so I just turned right around and headed down to O'sheehan's.

 

 

After breakfast I went to the spa where I had a really lovely conversation with a couple in the lobster pot and then I ran into the husband of one of the couples I had sat with at Syd's the night before and had a nice conversation until we finally both agreed we had had enough of the heat.

 

There weren't nearly as many "reserved" heated loungers, so I had no trouble getting one to lounge on and read my book for a while.

 

For lunch I went back to the buffet and had a slice of pizza, a quesadilla, and some chicken korma. Hung out there for a bit and read my book checked my emails and then had some soft serve ice cream. I also took a few pictures of Portland from the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was up to my room for a much-needed nap. After the nap I went to the buffet for a cup of coffee and then it was onto my noble quest for alcohol.

 

First stop was the Atrium Bar for a Mr. Worldwide, but I couldn't get a seat at the bar this time. So after finishing that drink in one of the comfy chairs by the windows, I headed up to O'sheehan's were I did find a seat at the bar. I had a great chat with the woman next to me and later a gentleman to my right. We were all traveling solo. I also ran into @grapgicsguy who gave me a Platinum Latitudes pin.

 

 

It was the time for my reservation at Le Bistro. I wasn't sure whether Ted would join me, but he did and we had a lovely dinner. I had the French onion soup and the filet. Ted had the French onion soup, the escargot, and the lamb. On our way out, we found the two people I had met at O'sheehan's having dinner together there too!

 

 

 

After dinner I headed to Maltings to get a drink with the intention of heading to Syd's to watch the Karaoke, but I ended up staying most of the night at the bar chattin with Ted and Sheri and Ed, two other solo cruisers I had met at dinner the night before. Also, my brother's girlfriend happened upon us and we chatted with her a bit too.

 

By the time I finally made it into Syd's, the Karaoke was almost over, but I managed to meet another solo sailor at the bar there and chat some while I enjoyed two Blind Russians.

 

At this point I had had way too much to drink. I found Ed and Sheri at Shaker's on my way to the aft elevators. I had planned to get late night snack and then pay my tithes, but by the time I left Shaker's, it was too late for a snack. Also, I had gotten the hiccups and it took much longer than usual for me to get rid of them.

 

I burned through my cash at the casino and then I headed to some much needed sleep. I was super hungover in the morning.

 

Day's Drinks: Mimosa, Kir Royale, Mr. Worldwide, Moscow Mule, Passion Lime Cooler, Ginger Mojito, French 77 x2, Getaway x5, Blind Russian x2

I am a hearty drinker and that list you put down would make me feel a little grouse in the morning too. And the fact that it is a good variety.  

[drumming cruisers]

Do you know what show is in Speigel tent? and the menu? 

[goldmom]

6 hours ago, drumming cruisers said:

Do you know what show is in Speigel tent? and the menu? 

We were on 2 weeks ago.  The show was called Velvet.  We didn't go, but our adult kids went.  They said the show was fun (70's or 80's music) but the dinner was awful.

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, drumming cruisers said:

Do you know what show is in Speigel tent? and the menu? 

The show is Velvet. It was pretty bad. Not Bird recommended. 

[Nclgetawaymenhoney]

Jamie, great review.  I miss your input all the time on the upgrade thread you were always one of the voice’s of reason.  I get so frustrated in those that think they can upgrade to a haven on a minimum bid on a sold out Xmas cruise, and why they don’t hear sooner if they don’t get the upgrade etc.  Anyhow continue to enjoy the rest of your cruise when we were on her last month I have to say the service everywhere we went was excellent.

[JamieLogical]

Yesterday was another port day in an endless stream of port days. This time was Bay of Fundy/St. John. Once again, I didn't get off the ship.

 

I decided to sleep in and skip second breakfast. I just had first breakfast of coffee and a chocolate croissant.

 

I took my shower around 10:00 and went to the spa. As I was heading to the spa, they were doing the crew safety drill. Right as I went in, they were announcing they would remotely be closing the fire doors. I got into the locker room to drop off my stuff, but they closed the fire door between the locker room and the thermal suite, just before I was able to get through, so I had to hang out in the locker room for a bit.

 

Once I got into the thermal suite, I noticed it was pretty empty, but that's not super unusual for a port day morning. I went to the salt room to spend a few minutes and then I had a date with the lobster pot. I climbed into the pool and waded over to the button to start the lobster pot jets and nothing happened. So I walked around to a few of the other buttons in the pool, still nothing. Went over to the hot tub, no dice. I finally found someone who worked there and she said it was under maintenance. Not sure who it was under maintenance by, since there was no one there working on it that I could see. I asked how long and she said she didn't know.  I later talked to a couple on the heated loungers and they were apparently told it would sometime in the afternoon (this was maybe 10:45?). Sure would have been nice for the girl who checked me in at the spa counter to have said something so I didn't get my bathing suits cold and wet for no reason!

 

I think I may try to get some sort of pro-rated refund from the Onboard Credit desk. I paid $300 for a spa pass, which boils down to $50/day. If I can't use the spa on one of the days, shouldn't I be refunded.for a day or at least part of a day?

 

I still laid in the heated lounger to dry off and read my book for a while. Then I went down to O'sheehan's for a drink before lunch. I ended up getting a burger from O'sheehan's and it was really good. I had never had one of their burgers before. I always get a Reuben and an occasional hot dog. Now I am sad I have been missing out!

 

After lunch I still took a nap, despite having slept in. When I got up I want to the buffet for a cup of coffee and ended up talking to @Graphicsguy

 

I headed back to O'sheehan's, as it was one of the only bars open on the ship and got to talking to a couple there for a long time before my buddy from Karaoke found me and we headed over to the solo gathering in Bliss Lounge.

 

We played bingo at the solo gathering and I did terribly. Partway through, one other guy and I still had just our free space punched and it was a race to the bottom between us.

 

But two of the people I was sitting with were successful. One got first place (a blingy necklace) and one tied for third place (a T-shirt).

 

I ran into a fellow cruise critic participant who has been having trouble connecting with people from the site, so I introduced her to @graphicguy and the others I was with. Then I was heading out to get another drink from O'sheehan's before dinner at La Cucina.

 

But I ran into Ted in the hallway a d he still hadn't met @graphicguy either, so I took him back to the Bliss Lounge to introduce them. Then Ted, Ed, and I had dinner reservations at La Cucina.

 

Ted and Ed were using one of Ted's Platinum vouchers, which limits you to one appetizer and one entree, but I was using my specialty dining and I knew the rules, no matter what our waitress tried to say. I ended up ordering 4 appetizers to share around and she said she would have to ask her manager about it. Guess who got her appetizers without another word from the server or the manager? This girl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, fun fact. St. Germain is not covered by the normal beverage package. It's a $5 upcharge plus $1 gratuity. What the heck?!?

 

 

We all are WAY too much food and ended up being there for two full hours! I stopped by Maltings for one drink from Joy at least and then I wanted to go see Howl at the Moon, which I hadn't caught all week. Ed came with me. The female singers were fantastic. The one especially so. She had a super soulful voice and she could really rock out. The other woman did a lot of country music of which I am a big fan, so that we really good too.

 

 

 

Whole were were there, a couple of other people Ed knew from late night dancing came in and sat with us. They later left to check out the 70's party in Bliss Lounge and I went to join them. But when we got there, the place was packed with people standing around and no music. At one point some of us went onto the dance floor to just start singing and dancing ourselves with no music. Finally the music started before we had to mutiny. I didn't stay long though, because it was super hot and crowded.

 

I went back to Howl at the Moon for a bit and then ducked out just in time to get to the buffet as they were packing up late night snack.

 

Then it was down to the casino to pay my tithes and off to bed. I have had horrendous luck in the casino this week. I think I am just going to withhold my tithes these last couple of days.

 

I decided to turn on the TV for a bit when I got back to my room. It was the first time I had turned on my TV all week and so, despite being past midnight on day 5/into day 6, I had to watch the safety briefing video!

 

Day's Drinks: Moscow Mule, Ginger Mojito x3, Vodka Sour, French 77, Getaway, Blind Russian x2, Vodka Sour

 

 

 

[JGmf]

35 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

I think I may try to get some sort of pro-rated refund from the Onboard Credit desk. I paid $300 for a spa pass, which boils down to $50/day. If I can't use the spa on one of the days, shouldn't I be refunded.for a day or at least part of a day?

 

@JamieLogical you should absolutely pursue some kind of credit.  You didn't visit the port under the assumption that you had a spa day ahead of you to enjoy. 

 

[Sthrngary]

Where I think some compensation is due, what happened in not unique on a big cruise ship.  It is nothing more then a floating hotel.  When they assume everyone is at port, the maintenance team comes out all over the ship.  It is one of the few times they have access to certain area's.

 

From a Guest Services standpoint, a notification should have been given to all staterooms that these items and or area's would be closed during certain hours.  That is just good communications.  That in this case did not happen.

 

My point is, if you wake, purposely don't go the the port to enjoy aspects of the cruise with no crowds; unless you are given a heads up, not being able to utilize those areas is a disappointment during a vacation which could have been managed with communication.  Getting some compensation after the fact does not take away from the disappointment.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy the spa when you can.

[drumming cruisers]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The show is Velvet. It was pretty bad. Not Bird recommended. 

Thank you. 

[JGmf]

20 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

Where I think some compensation is due, what happened in not unique on a big cruise ship.  It is nothing more then a floating hotel.  When they assume everyone is at port, the maintenance team comes out all over the ship. 

 

Totally agree Gary.  There could be many other countervailing reasons for the daytime work, but at a cold weather (and kinda dull and not much to do) port, maintenance leadership should know better.  I ran a large institution doing this kind of work.  A paid feature like the spa should only experience extended maintenance during the overnight...that is, should such maintenance not be too noisy or otherwise disruptive to passengers in some other way.  That could've been the case here.

 

Regardless, Jamie should get some compensation should she seek it.

 

[bonvoyagie]

When we visited both Portland and St John's we had the most excellent tours by hiring private taxis that also hire out as tour guides on ship days. We were able to spend as much time as we wanted in all the hot spots - in Portland we even got to do some items that were specific to our interests. Also coming from the other Portland we had to see our town's namesake and all it had to offer!.

[brookie848]

I always print out a copy of the dining package terms and conditions and bring it with me. I have a feeling that we might get some crap on our next cruise. We have three specialties planned. My husband and I have our two Platinum dinners and our two dining package meals. My brother is cruising with us (his first time!) and he only has the two dining package meals. So on some nights we will be mixing and matching dining package and Platinum. I know this sometimes throws servers into a tizzy, while other times they are cool about it.

[ChiefMateJRK]

22 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

My husband and I have our two Platinum dinners and our two dining package meals. My brother is cruising with us (his first time!) and he only has the two dining package meals. So on some nights we will be mixing and matching dining package and Platinum. I know this sometimes throws servers into a tizzy, while other times they are cool about it.

This is the first time I have heard of this.  Really?  We have mixed/matched specialty and platinum many times, and never an issue.

 

Are you really planning to show up for dinner with a copy of the T&C's in order to battle the tizzied?

Edited November 4, 2022 by ChiefMateJRK

[JamieLogical]

20 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

I always print out a copy of the dining package terms and conditions and bring it with me. I have a feeling that we might get some crap on our next cruise. We have three specialties planned. My husband and I have our two Platinum dinners and our two dining package meals. My brother is cruising with us (his first time!) and he only has the two dining package meals. So on some nights we will be mixing and matching dining package and Platinum. I know this sometimes throws servers into a tizzy, while other times they are cool about it.

 

I had no issue covering my brother's GF with my first platinum voucher while he used the dining package and then covering him for the second meal with a voucher while she used the dining package so they ended up with an extra night of specialty dining. But every restaurant I've been to ok this trip where someone was using the FAS specialty dining, they have tried to give the same BS about limits on appetizers and desserts.

[MNcruisingcouple]

2 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I had no issue covering my brother's GF with my first platinum voucher while he used the dining package and then covering him for the second meal with a voucher while she used the dining package so they ended up with an extra night of specialty dining. But every restaurant I've been to ok this trip where someone was using the FAS specialty dining, they have tried to give the same BS about limits on appetizers and desserts.

 

How did you go about resolving the issue when the waiters tried to limit you?  Argue with them, ask to speak to the maitre d', or just order what you want?  If you just ordered how you wanted, did you ever get charged?

[cruiseny4life]

21 minutes ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

 

How did you go about resolving the issue when the waiters tried to limit you?  Argue with them, ask to speak to the maitre d', or just order what you want?  If you just ordered how you wanted, did you ever get charged?

I've just ordered what I wanted and magically the bill doesn't have any additional fees for the extra apps and sides. 

[brookie848]

27 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

This is the first time I have heard of this.  Really?  We have mixed/matched specialty and platinum many times, and never an issue.

 

Are you really planning to show up for dinner with a copy of the T&C's in order to battle the tizzied?

 

Haha...yeah. It happens most often with new servers. They are also the ones who are big on the incorrect information of "one appetizer, one dessert" for the dining plan.

 

I just keep the terms and conditions with the rest of my paperwork. We'd never go to the trouble of arguing with a server -- we'd just take care of it later at Guest Services.

[Juncti]

On 11/3/2022 at 8:11 AM, JamieLogical said:

I couldn't stay long, but I had one drink and then it was off to wait in line at Syd's. I got there about 7:25, 50 minutes before the show, and the line was already to the elevators again.

 

When they let us in, my brother and his GF were already seated. Apparently they were brought down a crew elevator and through a secret door by the Haven Concierge, so they could get seats before the huddled masses.

@Sthrngary Guess this is another notch in the people who have gotten early Syd's access via Haven perks. 

 

Curious about the specialty dining difference from the FAS dinners vs the Platinum. We just hit Platinum on our last cruise, so our cruise next month will be the first time we have both FAS and Platinum vouchers. Do they work different or give you different amounts of meal items or is it all essentially the same thing?

 

I'm assuming based on everything I've read so far we'll have 4 meals, 2 FAS and 2 vouchers for our trip but this is one spot I'm still foggy on so far.

 

Sounds like the trip has been pretty great so far, spa not withstanding

[dbrown84]

I was in Cagney's and overheard servers telling folks one app, one entree, side, and dessert.  I'm preparing to fight, but when I ordered multiple apps and sides, nothing was said.  I thought I may have just got a server that actually knew.  I later figured out the difference.  For the dining package, you can get multiple apps and sides, as well as desserts.  For the platinum dinners, you have the restrictions to one each.  I guess I was overhearing folks with platinum vouchers

[dbrown84]

1 minute ago, Juncti said:

@Sthrngary Guess this is another notch in the people who have gotten early Syd's access via Haven perks. 

 

Curious about the specialty dining difference from the FAS dinners vs the Platinum. We just hit Platinum on our last cruise, so our cruise next month will be the first time we have both FAS and Platinum vouchers. Do they work different or give you different amounts of meal items or is it all essentially the same thing?

 

I'm assuming based on everything I've read so far we'll have 4 meals, 2 FAS and 2 vouchers for our trip but this is one spot I'm still foggy on so far.

 

Sounds like the trip has been pretty great so far, spa not withstanding

yes, platinum dinners restrict you to one appetizer entree and dessert.  Interesting that it actually doesn't mention a side:

 

[dbrown84]

3 minutes ago, Juncti said:

@Sthrngary Guess this is another notch in the people who have gotten early Syd's access via Haven perks. 

 

Curious about the specialty dining difference from the FAS dinners vs the Platinum. We just hit Platinum on our last cruise, so our cruise next month will be the first time we have both FAS and Platinum vouchers. Do they work different or give you different amounts of meal items or is it all essentially the same thing?

 

I'm assuming based on everything I've read so far we'll have 4 meals, 2 FAS and 2 vouchers for our trip but this is one spot I'm still foggy on so far.

 

Sounds like the trip has been pretty great so far, spa not withstanding

yes, platinum dinners restrict you to one appetizer entree and dessert.  Interesting that it actually doesn't mention a side.  I don't know if that actually means there are no limits to side items:

 

[Sthrngary]

6 minutes ago, Juncti said:

Guess this is another notch in the people who have gotten early Syd's access via Haven perks. 

This is hit or miss which is why I rarely talk about it.  Sometimes, the Haven desk will do this and sometimes they will not.  Inconsistant.  What I am really careful to do is to set realistic expectations so if your cruise, the haven desk says no, you are not disappointed. 

 

Cruise well and I will certainly be looking forward to Syd's on our upcoming cruise.  

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

I was in Cagney's and overheard servers telling folks one app, one entree, side, and dessert.  I'm preparing to fight, but when I ordered multiple apps and sides, nothing was said.  I thought I may have just got a server that actually knew.  I later figured out the difference.  For the dining package, you can get multiple apps and sides, as well as desserts.  For the platinum dinners, you have the restrictions to one each.  I guess I was overhearing folks with platinum vouchers

That is kind of sad that there is a difference between Platinum and other options.  The amount of money one has paid over time to become Platinum, NCL should just let it be the same.  That said, half the time I can't finish the meal anyway so no issue for me.  It is such a little thing, so easy to show loyalty to the most loyal.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Juncti]

1 minute ago, Sthrngary said:

That is kind of sad that there is a difference between Platinum and other options.  The amount of money one has paid over time to become Platinum, NCL should just let it be the same.  That said, half the time I can't finish the meal anyway so no issue for me.  It is such a little thing, so easy to show loyalty to the most loyal.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Yeah that seems weird that the one that most people take as a "freebie" gets better perks than the ones you earn from long term loyalty. 

 

It's not that huge of a deal, but can't imagine the cost vs headaches being worth it. If you go hungry on a cruise you're doing something wrong lol