5 sea days!!!

[casofilia]

Remember that a Transatlantic is more like two cruises,  half sea days together and half port days together.

[Lakesregion]

8 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

I’m thinking you’re a blast at parties. 

A party or a drinking event. I enjoy parties where people talk to  not shout at each other and share intelligent ideas. NCL seems lacking in such events.

[Lakesregion]

6 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Now, as to your actual question, sea days are the best! In September, we had two days in Orlando and one day in Miami which turned into three sea days for us, plus the real four sea days that we had. A nine day cruise where seven of the days were sea days. Oh my, it was glorious! We danced between thermal suite, the Haven Sun Deck, and our aft-facing balcony. The time went by so quickly! I could have had another ten sea days and been ok. 

 

On our Dec/Jan cruise, we had a two day stop in Orlando too, which were also treated as sea days. We had three additional sea days on our eight day cruise. Again, every sea day (real or not) was delightful, full of leisure activities, and just perfectly serene. I would take all the sea days in the world on a NCL ship. 

 

As others have said, on a real sea day, NCL provides plenty of mindless activity - trivia, dance classes, balloon animals (actually, kind of fun), and music in intimate settings. I skip all that (except the balloons), and do a routine that consists of a couple morning hours in the thermal suite (a must purchase on a trans-Atlantic, I'd think), lunch, nap, balcony time, maybe some sun deck time if it's not too hot, more thermal suite, dinner, show). Repeat on the next sea day! And, perhaps, include a stroll of the Waterfront a couple times. 

 

If one likes to strut around like a peacock in their penguin suit, then perhaps Cunard is for you. Or, if you want to relive the good ole days of steerage, racism, homophobia, and misogny, then perhaps Cunard is good for you. For me, I'll take NCL where entertainment is good, if not stellar, meals aren't stodgy affairs with staff doting on you like you're their master, and you can go anywhere on the ship after 6 PM without that penguin suit on. Cruises ought to be multicultural affairs where anyone is welcomed, good English, or not. I enjoy speaking with people from different cultures to learn about their world. How it's different than mine, and hopefully sharing in a delightful shared tradition. But...there goes me enjoying culture again! 

 

 

Pretty harsh view of Cunarders. Dressing to fit the ambiance of a ship, restaurant etc. is not strutting around like a peacock but good manners, Evidently something that your up bringing left out -sad. As to the rest of your screed. Must be hard waking everyday looking for something to be annoyed at. But then maybe NCL is your brand of folks. Who knows and for one who really cares. I did my NCL time and was released without probation. May god bless you and keep you!

[nferr]

9 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

If you have already been on the Getaway then you know what a sea day is like. Off color jokes by the cruise director that struggles with English, Trivia sessions and lots of encouraged drinking. Now if you were taking Cunard across the pond, there would be enrichment lectures both morning and afternoons, a library that actually is open all day and offers a lot of books, Tea dances in the afternoon. A harpist in the center lounge at noon. Real music in every cocktail lounge of a nature that conversations do not have to be shouted and evening dancing plus a disco that is not "on-deck" but in a very comfortable area. Plus the best part zero smoking in the casino or elsewhere except one tiny out on the deck area. 

That sounds incredibly boring to be honest.  I did a 15 night transatlantic on the Epic last year and did plenty of reading and relaxing. At night I hit the clubs and had a great time. To each their own.

[Lakesregion]

15 minutes ago, nferr said:

That sounds incredibly boring to be honest.  I did a 15 night transatlantic on the Epic last year and did plenty of reading and relaxing. At night I hit the clubs and had a great time. To each their own.

So very true that is why there are a multitude of cruise lines. Sadly too many of them are in a race to the bottom of the market place and try to please eveyone, which never works in any line of endeavor.

[Sea saw 56]

2 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

A party or a drinking event. I enjoy parties where people talk to  not shout at each other and share intelligent ideas. NCL seems lacking in such events.

 

1 hour ago, Lakesregion said:

Pretty harsh view of Cunarders. Dressing to fit the ambiance of a ship, restaurant etc. is not strutting around like a peacock but good manners, Evidently something that your up bringing left out -sad. As to the rest of your screed. Must be hard waking everyday looking for something to be annoyed at. But then maybe NCL is your brand of folks. Who knows and for one who really cares. I did my NCL time and was released without probation. May god bless you and keep you!

Just..WOW!  What are you doing over here on the NCL threads with those of us who are so beneath your standards??🤔

[FLAHAM]

Consider passing up some of the trivia games and whatnot and learn to play bridge on board.  On TAs, NCL has a bridge instructor and game director (usually a married couple).  For newcomers to bridge, they offer a beginners lesson each sea day.  For players with some experience, they offer an intermediate lesson and a game each sea day.  Beginners can learn enough to join newcomers games at local clubs in their hometowns.

 

In addition to the fun of learning the rudiments of  bridge, these activities are great ways of meeting other cruisers.  I have often been invited to share meals and evening entertainment with other attendees.

 

All activities are free and are usually held in a specialty restaurant that is otherwise empty during the day.  In my experience, each of the activities draws about 50 participants.

 

Keep  a sharp eye on the Dailies for notices of the bridge lessons.

Edited February 21, 2023 by FLAHAM

[ysolde]

We love TA voyages.  The pace is just right for us.  And we like sea days, when we can sleep in, explore the ship, play some trivia, sit and read, have a cup of tea on our balcony, enjoy the ocean air on deck, nap, spend a little time in the spa, play board games, explore the specialty restaurants, talk to fellow passengers and staff, all at an unhurried pace.  It's a calm, friendly, unhurried vibe.  

 

We enjoy it so much that, now that we have a TA out of Europe scheduled for late November 2024, my DH suggested finding a cheap TA to get us to Europe by mid November, so that we can spend a couple of weeks there before our voyage.  I have been doing a little research, and it is doable.  He finds traveling by ship so much more comfortable than air travel.  Can't say I disagree.

[Lakesregion]

2 hours ago, Sea saw 56 said:

 

Just..WOW!  What are you doing over here on the NCL threads with those of us who are so beneath your standards??🤔

Just returned from an NCL 12 day cruise out of NYC on the Getaway and was answering a few questions from folks who might be uncertain to what they were possibly signing on for. Best to be forewarned than to be disappointed and out cash for something they will not really care for. Always find it amusing that so many people get defensive when someone comments about attire and manners. If they were comfortable in what they were doing they would not have to constantly object to others who wish to elevate the atmosphere. On my 12 day, I was pleasantly surprised that 90% of the ladies made a sincere effort to rise to the level of ambiance NCL offered in their main dining rooms. Saddened that their male escarts did not make the same effort. Yes they with very rare exception did meet the very low standards set by NCL but they did a great dis-service to their partners by not looking like a couple. 

 

Maybe, you could explain that type of behavior to me so I could better understand the thinking.

[EngrJones]

1 hour ago, Lakesregion said:

If they were comfortable in what they were doing they would not have to constantly object to others who wish to elevate the atmosphere. On my 12 day, I was pleasantly surprised that 90% of the ladies made a sincere effort to rise to the level of ambiance NCL offered in their main dining rooms. Saddened that their male escarts did not make the same effort. Yes they with very rare exception did meet the very low standards set by NCL but they did a great dis-service to their partners by not looking like a couple. 

🤣I guess I'm the 10%!

[Lakesregion]

8 hours ago, EngrJones said:

🤣I guess I'm the 10%!

Could be. Do you have pictures so we can all vote?

[nferr]

On 2/20/2023 at 10:18 PM, Lakesregion said:

Just returned from an NCL 12 day cruise out of NYC on the Getaway and was answering a few questions from folks who might be uncertain to what they were possibly signing on for. Best to be forewarned than to be disappointed and out cash for something they will not really care for. Always find it amusing that so many people get defensive when someone comments about attire and manners. If they were comfortable in what they were doing they would not have to constantly object to others who wish to elevate the atmosphere. On my 12 day, I was pleasantly surprised that 90% of the ladies made a sincere effort to rise to the level of ambiance NCL offered in their main dining rooms. Saddened that their male escarts did not make the same effort. Yes they with very rare exception did meet the very low standards set by NCL but they did a great dis-service to their partners by not looking like a couple. 

 

Maybe, you could explain that type of behavior to me so I could better understand the thinking.

 I can. You're on a relaxed vacation, especially if it's down to the Caribbean. I dress comfortable. And I pack light. Did an 11 night Caribbean cruise last February and had a 21 inch carryon and a small duffle. Last thing I want to do is lug a huge pile of clothes around on vacation. For dinner I usually wore docker type pants, comfortable light shoes and a collared shirt. Never did I feel I was underdressed or doing a "disservice" to anybody. To each their own.

[Lakesregion]

5 hours ago, nferr said:

 I can. You're on a relaxed vacation, especially if it's down to the Caribbean. I dress comfortable. And I pack light. Did an 11 night Caribbean cruise last February and had a 21 inch carryon and a small duffle. Last thing I want to do is lug a huge pile of clothes around on vacation. For dinner I usually wore docker type pants, comfortable light shoes and a collared shirt. Never did I feel I was underdressed or doing a "disservice" to anybody. To each their own.

Fine but was your wife also very casually dressed or was she in an outfit that more fit the fine dining room ambiance. That was my question about why men whose wives dress up prefer not to complement her but dress down. 

[nferr]

3 minutes ago, Lakesregion said:

Fine but was your wife also very casually dressed or was she in an outfit that more fit the fine dining room ambiance. That was my question about why men whose wives dress up prefer not to complement her but dress down. 

 

"More fit the fine dining experience". Do you always talk down to people? I and others (including any dining companion) dress to what they feel is appropriate. Even NCL calls it smart casual. 

[Lakesregion]

3 hours ago, nferr said:

 

"More fit the fine dining experience". Do you always talk down to people? I and others (including any dining companion) dress to what they feel is appropriate. Even NCL calls it smart casual. 

Maybe you could explain why discussing people dressing to fit the ambiance of a particular restaurant or not dressing to fit is considered by you to be talking down to the people. What I still want to know is why do the ladies dress to fit the ambiance but their male escorts do not. I know that NCL has no real dress code and anything goes, yet on my recent 12 day cruise 80-90% of the women dressed way above the NCL minimums but the men stayed more to the middle which made them stand out as not complimenting their ladies. I can not understand that type of logic. Please explain it and do not get all defensive as I am not talking down to anyone just seeking knowledge.

[chev29]

We had 5 sea days, and I took some small canvases and acrylic paints and tried my hand at painting. I am not an artist and have no talent, but it was very relaxing and alot of people said they looked good. I also took some small jig saw puzzles. There was plenty of activities on board.