lex_n_saph

I notice you cruised on the Sun around the Horn in 2009. Does the newly announced itinerary for the Sun in S. America look similar to what you had when you sailed? We are seriously looking at doing this in 2016. We love the Sun and our next cruise (Alaska in late June) will be our 3rd cruise on her.

The upcoming South American itinerary is exactly the same as the one we did back in 2009. That voyage still rates as one of our favourite cruises. We're planning to do it again, in early 2016.

NCL has been providing this service, for some years. As some have mentioned, it cannot be done on the web-site. We use a NCL Personal Cruise Consultant and have them accept the payment for the fare, service charges, any shore excursions, and what we believe we will need in on-board credits. Basically, anything available on the web-site can be paid this way.

When the exchange rate was closer, it didn't make that much difference. However, recently, this option has become rather attractive.

There was a discussion about this sometime, in the recent past.

This was the summary:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=34840578&postcount=35

250 pts - leather-bound pocket atlas

500 pts - leather picture frame (made by Coach?)

750 pts - Waterford crystal bowl

They had no information on the 1000 point gift. There was a disagreement over whether any of the leather was genuine or not.

The Concierge is not an officer. ( I think) ??

They usually are (hotel) officers aboard ship, as they have supervisory and management duties. See: http://www.gijobs.com/concierge-norwegian-cruise-line.aspx

“The position itself is an officer’s, so I’ve got managerial duties,” Anderson explained. Everyone has Merchant Marine-type training, analogous to the military situation, “where everyone has two jobs. The amount of detail to keep up with in this job keeps me fully engaged. That’s hard to find in the civilian world."

Yes, the butler will get you your liquor, but you have to order and pay ahead of your cruise.

You can also order the bar set-up on-board, as well. The difference is that you will pay a 15% service fee on-board, as opposed to the $3 advance order fee.

You mention the captain, between the captain and the Hotel manager we almost felt we were being followed. They were always walking in the public areas and even taking time to stop and talk to us.

We noticed this, as well. On occasion, the captain was even outside, in port, welcoming people back to the ship and asking how their day had been.

The MDRs don't offer dinner menus at lunch. They offer the same (ie, unchanging) menu every day at lunch with a chef special thrown in. Examples of the lunch menu selections include hamburgers, omelets, shrimp and salmon salad sandwich, etc.

Yes. And, only one of the Main Dining Rooms is open for lunch and only on sea days. However, the Sushi/Asian specialty restaurant is open for lunch for a charge.

Spinach and prosciutto.

You may also wish to try Moderno, for breakfast, on the Sun. They have a waffle and omelet station, as well as a selection of fruits, breads, and breakfast fish.

I think my wife and I are the rare case but…….we did not use either for anything.

We're similar, in that we never really utilized the butler or the concierge, although they were both very pleasant. We actually felt so bad about not using the service that we had the butler serve us breakfast one day, as he has kept telling us that we could do this at anytime.

A hat, like an overcoat, is considered outerwear. As such, it's subject to the collection of dust and dirt. Outerwear is removed at a dining table (or any indoor non-public area), for fairly obvious reasons (dirt or having it accidentally knocked off your head an onto someone's plate, etc.). Likewise, if your hair is long, you don't leave it loose at a dining table.

Are the cabins sound proof, or sound proof enough not to disturb people in the cabins next to me? :)

Of course not, noise will drift from the "dance club", maintenance, or an intoxicated couple arguing near your door.

If you are worried about any noise that you may generate, guest services (or your butler, concierge, steward) may be able to assist.

The biggest fallacy in Blackjack?

 

If the guy at third place hits or stands irrationally, then you will lose more money.

 

Too many people think lack of basic strategy by one player will mess up everyone else.

 

Nope - has ZERO meaning. [...]

These are all excellent points; particularly, with the continuous shuffle machine.

The 6:5 2 card blackjack is, by far, more damaging to any player.

We always take just US$ which are accepted everywhere- just be sure to take small denomination notes though as you will get change in local currency.

Except in Guadeloupe and other French Caribbean departments. There, they use Euros and US currency isn't widely accepted outside of the immediate port tourist vendors.

Please help me understand. Firstly, the staff are paid a weekly salary, are they not? Therefore the DSC is a tip.

The service charge is part of the crew's salary. It is not a tip. The money from this charge is pooled and distributed by some unknown formula across the entire subscribed service staff.

Essentially, it's a marketing technique to make the basic price of the cruise appear lower than it actually is.

Since it is presented in this manner, corporate management has little choice but to allow you the ability to adjust it. Of course, they prefer you resolve the issue with them - either on-board or with headquarters. For us, we've found that having a good relationship with the staff and officers helps to smooth the few difficulties we have experienced.

You are correct that anything labeled discretionary is not mandatory. However, the use of the word "discretionary" (as an adjective, and which only appears in very limited NCL corporate text) is a word game to mitigate the "bottom line" marketing strategy. "Discreet" (or quiet, private) service payment would be more accurate.

In the end, inadequate staffing is a management issue. Unfortunately, poor management is a corporate problem and will eventually reflect on the corporation's profit and loss statements. Working with the system is better until the system fails. At which point, a more favourable system would be more satisfactory.

Best wishes. We've always found that selective, personal tips to exceptional crew members has enhanced our on-board stay. Citation comment cards may work as well, as it is claimed they are part of the crew's "incentive" (or salary) program.

We were on the Star, last September, on a Norway-Iceland itinerary. We thought the ship was quite well maintained. We didn't use the spa, so we can't comment upon it.

We, also, have been on the Baltic Sea itinerary, on the Sun. We found the ports to be very interesting. For us, it was certainly worth the trip.

As some have mentioned, the Star lacks the rock climbing walls and large water slides found on the "mega-ships". However. since the Baltic Sea voyage is port intensive, we didn't find much need for those features. We did the trip in March, so the ambient weather wasn't the best for those sorts of activities.

He got me betting $6 Action ($3 each craps). We didn't do it all the time and made decent money at it. And as usual, I gave it back and then some.

Craps is 2, 3, or 12. A popular bet is "any craps" plus "eleven" ("yo"). Would this have been your $6 bet ($3 C and $3 E)?

Is this a sucker bet?

Generally, on the Craps table, a "sucker" bet is one in which the payout is considered poor with respect to the true odds. In this regard, all of these proposition bets are not favourable. Of course, some are poorer than others. The payout you're being "cheated" upon will, normally, range from 11 to 16 2/3%.

Often, players will use a proposition bet to "hedge" their pass-line contract, to tip ("toke") the table crew, or just for fun (because they're currently winning).

I'm almost positive that NCL has 3x4x5 odds on craps, but not sure on their blackjack rules.

NCL's Craps tables are 3/4/5x odds. Their Blackjack rules are similar to that which you describe (dealer hits on soft 17 etc.). Some tables (usually the $5 ones) are 6:5 on a two card 21. Usually, these tables have side bets, as well.

The do use continuous shuffle machines for the blackjack shoes... and I think they use 8 decks in them... Some would say that is a disadvantage ( I do).

The use of a continuous shuffle machine obviates any advantage one may obtain from counting cards. Many shipboard Blackjack tables have also reduced the two-card Blackjack payout from 3:2 to 6:5 (a trend also present on many land-based tables as well). This change is, in my opinion, a much greater disadvantage.

Of course, a single-zero Roulette wheel is practically impossible to find shipboard. However, the Craps and Baccarat tables seem to still be consistent with their land-based brethren.

If I'm breakfasting in the buffet on the Getaway, can I get a Bloody Mary or mimosa? Will I have to get one elsewhere? Is breakfasting a word? In the event we do the UBP, we'll want to start early. ;)

All the NCL ships we have sailed upon have a bar which serves morning drinks. Usually, this is located in the buffet. Look in the daily and it will tell you the location, for your specific ship. Usually, there is a morning Bloody Mary special. We've never been on the Getaway, so we can't comment about her, specifically.

Yes, "breakfasting" is a word. It's the present participle of "breakfast".

Our daughter is Vegan( which is obviously stricter than vegetarian) she would not be seen in a steakhouse under any conditions.

She wont even go to any family house dinners if meat is on the menu.

Not even at Xmas...if she is there it has to be vegan food.

Its just not worth the drama.....:eek:

So We never dine together anymore..not out...not at home.

Our sympathies. It, certainly, must be a difficult and awkward situation. We have never had issues with vegetarians in our circles. Whether their diet is for religious, philosophical, or personal reasons; they have always been appreciative of any effort to accommodate them. Likewise, they don't impose their position upon others. Tolerance is important, in any social situation, particularly amongst family.

Also, vegetarians don't consume any animal product. Lacto-ovo vegetarians include dairy and eggs but still don't consume anything that is a product of a live slaughter (gelatin, rennet from an animal source, etc.). "Vegans" are often political and even militant, in our experience.

We liked the fillet at the teppanyaki. Also, the spring rolls in the main dining room were often very good.

Since the stairs aren't an option and the walk to the bow elevators is rather long (for you friend), the single stern elevator is their only option.

Going up should not be a problem. Doing down will be considerably more crowded, at times. Because the Seven Seas (on of the main dining rooms) is fifth deck, stern, there can be traffic there and above on deck six.

If your friend is not is any rush, they should be able to manage the single elevator.

Your review and pictorial is very interesting. We had wondered what it would be like on the "nick" theme cruises. It was nice to see some pictures of the characters interacting with the passengers.

I wouldn't recommend flying out of YYZ, by the time you get there check in and all the rest you could be almost to Kingston, Porter out of the Island might work.

You`re right about Pearson (YYZ). It'll be too far and not worth the time delay. Porter or Air Canada from Bishop (YTZ) to Montreal (YUL) is certainly feasible.

A GO Transit bus from Niagara Falls (or the Amtrak/VIA train) will arrive in downtown Toronto and the island airport (Bishop) is very easy to reach by taxi or public transit. If it was a nice day, one could even walk from the train station.

Also, the GO Transit bus has an option to transfer to a GO Train in Burlington.