Rare graphicguy Posted October 2, 2023 Author #401 Share Posted October 2, 2023 For some reason CC has quit letting me post pics. This could be the end of “Live With Pics”! Will let you m ow in words only, I suppose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfclam2003 Posted October 2, 2023 #402 Share Posted October 2, 2023 We still have 188 days to go. She looks lovely. Haven has been on our bucket list for awhile. Got a great deal for TA and couldn't pass it up. We are staying on for an additional 10 days but moving to a club balcony as price for Haven almost doubled. Couldn't justify price for a port intensive cruise. Looking forward to getting spoiled. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mking8288 Posted October 2, 2023 #403 Share Posted October 2, 2023 2 minutes ago, graphicguy said: For some reason CC has quit letting me post pics. This could be the end of “Live With Pics”! Will let you m ow in words only, I suppose! Oh, no - probably just some sort of technical hiccups - server(s) overloaded on this end. You on still in port b/c I just peek at the ship's live webcam, not sailing until 7:30 PM local time - should still have good 5G or 4G signal from land ISP partner. NCL did a beautiful modernization with the Haven complex & that 2 BR is stunning ... you got 3 TV's to "monitor" multiple channels plus ship navigation feed & live video cam, and in case you run out of things to do, those 60+ PPV movies are free (just kidding about lack of things ...) That suite reminded me somewhat of our Joy's spacious 2 BR family inside suites with the virtual balcony, but the deco & trimmings, completely upscale luxury as it should be - it is Haven proper, afterall. For a change, might want to have the butler order something from Shanghai Noodles downstairs & bring it up as snacks, during our TA - the lines waiting to get in nightly was mad crazy, every night ... the noodles soup & appetizers were good, the fried & sauteed weren't to our liking. Portions are petite enough. Do try to keep those pictures coming, bon voyage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare www3traveler Posted October 2, 2023 #404 Share Posted October 2, 2023 When you can, could you please post a list of the current Officers both Bridge and Hotel? Thank You Have a wonderful cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted October 2, 2023 Author #405 Share Posted October 2, 2023 And just like that, someone hit a switch and let me post pics, again! Dailies…outlets on both sides of the bed. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavok Posted October 2, 2023 #406 Share Posted October 2, 2023 We also got on board, in "Steerage" a few classes and decks below... Still a family balcony, though. Agree that this Haven room looks awesome and modern! Our upgrade bid unfortunately didn't get called upon 😂 Sadly, our impression of the ship so far is more so/so from an average level paying customer's point of view... And we don't even dislike the often critizized shower/wc/sink setup in the room. That's different, but we like it. The room is rather dusty/not very thoroughly cleaned, has little and stupidly thought out storage and in general feels cramped over what we are used to (Mainly TUI Mein Schiff and Celebrity). Let's see how our impression evolves over the next few days. Balcony showing rust everywhere, balcony door handle almost falls off and more wear and tear can be seen around ship. Also, IT/infoscreens are not up to today's standard, stateroom TV is small and slow, big screen with info about officers near guest services is not touch etc... Then the whole VAT story is in full swing. "Dear valued customer" letter at checkin, and bartenders are keen to tell you that you only pay tax, while presenting a slip over big and bold $36 or whatever (which you don't have to sign) just to show the VAT. quite confusing. As a Swiss and not part of the E. U. we might even try to reclaim just for the fun of it and principle 😜 Gotta read up on that, they even mention it in the letter. Checkin was a relative breeze around 11ish, but we saw queues get much longer, later in the afternoon. Overall, generally pleasant experience. Also parking is close to perfect and quite affordable for the length of the cruise. Cruise director and assistant cruise director are somewhat hard to understand, and this from a non-native speaker with a lot of leniency towards less than perfect pronounciation... Guess they give them somewhere a chance to try out *LOL* Also, lots of french speakers / canadian french pax. And rather unusual, even french announcements on board, at least for the safety stuff (from a guy who actually speaks perfect French) ... Initial impression of crew otherwise is quite positive. Upcharge stuff is generally very expensive, not limited to shore excursions. Got for instance stuck with the kids in the arcade hall (didn't spend any but they wouldn't leave and mistreat the buttons for a bit), nothing much below 2$, a "pass" for the cruise going for something like 175$ and not even applicable to all machines?! Yeah right. Starbucks much the same, not even the basic of the basics coffe is "free at sea" *lol* Expected it to be much that way, but considering NCL isn't exactly cheap in the first place, either customers are just very happy to spend big time or they are really trying to squeeze... And what they consider "premium" and what not really comes down to the fine print and less to common sense 🤣 But it's nice to be on another ship and we'll sure enjoy the next almost two weeks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsn55 Posted October 2, 2023 #407 Share Posted October 2, 2023 57 minutes ago, graphicguy said: For some reason CC has quit letting me post pics. This could be the end of “Live With Pics”! Will let you m ow in words only, I suppose! Oh now, we NEED those photos!! As with all things IT, just wait a bit, restart everything and all should be well. Laptops sometimes wish to rest all night before beaming up again. Can't tell you the number of digital toys I've 'fixed' over the years ... good thing, 'cause it's the only fix I know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted October 2, 2023 Author #408 Share Posted October 2, 2023 1st drink of the cruise.. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfclam2003 Posted October 2, 2023 #409 Share Posted October 2, 2023 10 minutes ago, graphicguy said: 1st drink of the cruise.. What is the drink? Looks good. Want to try all different ones up there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc78 Posted October 2, 2023 #410 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Have a great time! 83 days until I sail Epic! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sugar Magnolia Posted October 2, 2023 #411 Share Posted October 2, 2023 1 hour ago, mking8288 said: For a change, might want to have the butler order something from Shanghai Noodles downstairs & bring it up as snacks, during our TA - the lines waiting to get in nightly was mad crazy, every night ... the noodles soup & appetizers were good, the fried & sauteed weren't to our liking. Portions are petite enough. So true. Been on the Epic three times and never made it to Shanghai Noodles because lines extended all the way to the casino. Never thought to request delivery from butler but won't make that mistake again. I also recommend trying Shanghai Noodles when the casino is not in operation to limit the smoke smells wafting over from the casino. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoopie17 Posted October 2, 2023 #412 Share Posted October 2, 2023 6 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said: Never thought to request delivery from butler but won't make that mistake again. . Not being a Haven cruiser, the next time I'm in steerage I'll try to find someone with the last name of Butler and ask them to stand in line for me. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted October 2, 2023 Author #413 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) Edited October 2, 2023 by graphicguy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sugar Magnolia Posted October 2, 2023 #414 Share Posted October 2, 2023 1 minute ago, schmoopie17 said: Not being a Haven cruiser, the next time I'm in steerage I'll try to find someone with the last name of Butler and ask them to stand in line for me. That works too...a professional expediter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted October 2, 2023 #415 Share Posted October 2, 2023 11 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said: So true. Been on the Epic three times and never made it to Shanghai Noodles because lines extended all the way to the casino. Never thought to request delivery from butler but won't make that mistake again. I also recommend trying Shanghai Noodles when the casino is not in operation to limit the smoke smells wafting over from the casino. Weird, I wonder when you sailed. We were on the Epic last December for a TA and ate there twice, no lines at all. We love that place! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sugar Magnolia Posted October 2, 2023 #416 Share Posted October 2, 2023 1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said: Weird, I wonder when you sailed. We were on the Epic last December for a TA and ate there twice, no lines at all. We love that place! Last time on the Epic was this past April. Probably didn't help that it was over spring break. It was also very difficult to get in on the Getaway in February. I am batting 0 for 4. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted October 2, 2023 Author #417 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Little back story…last time I sailed EPIC was over 10 years ago. She was new and totally unlike anything I had experienced before. I was sailing with someone who meant a lot to me. We sailed in a balcony room. I liked it, although some malign it. The ship has perhaps the only escalator at sea, fercryinoutloud!!!!! I view the Epic as the ship that set the precedence for so many other ships and cruiselines. It’s the ship that had me coming back to NCL over and over! So, perhaps I’m being nostalgic. But aside from some updates here and there, it’s the brick and wood and SOLID feeling ship (no creaks) that I remember. This ship makes me happy to cruise. Hope I won‘t wait so long the next time. Really looking forward to this. She appears to be in good shape. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted October 2, 2023 #418 Share Posted October 2, 2023 10 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said: Probably didn't help that it was over spring break. Yeah, that's why. I suspect a lot of places were crowded. I avoid spring break like the plague. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sugar Magnolia Posted October 2, 2023 #419 Share Posted October 2, 2023 1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said: Yeah, that's why. I suspect a lot of places were crowded. I avoid spring break like the plague. I usually avoid spring break, too, as I can sail whenever. This was a long-awaited family cruise so I had to accommodate. 😆 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted October 2, 2023 Author #420 Share Posted October 2, 2023 49 minutes ago, surfclam2003 said: What is the drink? Looks good. Want to try all different ones up there. Not sure…gin, juice with cayenne on the rim! Ezya made it for me! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Travelicious Posted October 2, 2023 #421 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Hurray! So glad to see your adventure has begun. Have a great time, and thanks for sharing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mking8288 Posted October 2, 2023 #422 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Looks pretty quiet on the pier, all set and ready to sail 🤓 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted October 2, 2023 Author #423 Share Posted October 2, 2023 And…we’re smoking drinks… 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
depplep Posted October 2, 2023 #424 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Is smoking allowed at the bar?😉 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfclam2003 Posted October 2, 2023 #425 Share Posted October 2, 2023 How long is the bar open at night? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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