BenDover
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A couple of changes I noticed on Breakaway last week
BenDover replied to Travelicious's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
That certainly has not been my experience. Last week on Escape at Cagneyโs I could not eat half of my steak and most of my 7-layer Cake. They boxed it up without me even asking. Throughout the cruise I saw a lot of people taking leftovers from the restaurants. -
A couple of changes I noticed on Breakaway last week
BenDover replied to Travelicious's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
I have never heard of any main-line cruise ship delivering your dessert to your stateroom later. The servers are waiting on customers in the restaurant - are they supposed to leave the restaurant to deliver desserts?! I was just on Escape last week and absolutely I could have them box up a dessert. -
They just sort of started making announcements about making tender reservations midway through the cruise. I remember trying to do it the first day, but no go.
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Booked show when I got on board - no problem. The only shows that looked tough to book were the comedy shows - which I don't care for. You have to register for the tender through your stateroom TV (could not do on the APP). I slept in that day but I had #14. If you want to tender early you need to reserve as soon as they open up the reservations. Every afternoon I do 15 minutes in the steam room, 10 minutes in the sauna, followed by 3 minutes in the snow room. Detoxing and getting the body ready for another night of debauchery ๐ No Food Republic
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I am not a platinum member - so no "wines at sea". There were some fairly good wines available by the glass. They would be covered if you have the premium plus package or you have to pay the difference over what the basic package covers. Crab cakes definitely not on level with Haven's. Lots of breading, no lumps, flavorless and the size of a hockey puck.
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Interesting - on Escape they asked all three times I ate at Le Bistro
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Captain Matko, General Manager Kivanc, Cruise Director Jack, Assistant General Manager Ducan, Food & Beverage Yusuf, Guest Services Ronan, Restaurant Manager Elena
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Just spent 7 days on NCL Escape. This was my 4th NCL Cruise and my second on Escape. Some notes on my wonderful cruise: I drove down from Georgia and arrived at Port Canaveral for my 9:30 reserved time. Check in went smooth, however boarding was delayed due to the ship getting in late (so I was told), Actual boarding did not start until 11:30. At one point they suspended checking people in because the terminal was packed. Went straight to O'Sheehan's - no wait. I can confirm that they have indeed switched to Baked Wings ๐. Draft beers offered were Stella and Bud Light. Yes, they have returned to the pre-covid muster drill As always, I purchased the Thermal Suite pass for $299 ($100 more than previous cruises). Definitely less crowded - on the positive side, it was better maintained and cleaner than previous cruises. I ate all of my meals at specialty dinning. Twice at Cagney's and La Cucina and three times at Le Bistro (my favorite ๐). I believe La Cucina is an under appreciated dining option. Both meals were fantastic! I ate outside one night at sunset and I could not imagine a better dining experience. Menu Changes: I did notice several changes to the menus as previously mentioned on the boards. La Cucina has changed the Veal Scaloppini to Pork. Cagney's no longer charges a surcharge for the crab cakes, however they were not as good as previous cruises and I would not recommend them. Of course they did add a $20 supplement for the porterhouse. Le Bistro now charges a $10 supplement for the Tenderloin with Foie Gras - however they do offer the tenderloin without the supplement if you get it without the Foie Gras (I highly recommend that you pay the $10 - the Foie Gras makes the meal - And if the thought of liver grosses you out, all I can tell you is that I am a picky eater and I absolutely loved it!). One of the Maitre D did mention to me that more menu changes are planned for in the immediate future. I will be keeping an eye on that. Every waiter, this time around, told me that because I had the specialty dining package I was entitled to two starters, one entre, two sides and a desert. All of the meals were great and the service was exceptional. For me, the highlight of my cruise was the wine service. I am an enophile and I had some really exceptional wines. If you like good wines - the premium plus package is absolutely worth it. Dragisa, the ship's Cellar Master is an absolute genius and he and his team provides a level of service you will simply not find on land. I also attended 5 wine classes - all very informative and with some really quality wines. As far as entertainment goes, I was disappointed that they were not offering Malevo as previously advertised. Do not know if that was due to the well discussed cutbacks. I did see Choir of Men - but saw that twice last time. Overall, the service was just as good as ever. Other than the few menu changes and the cancellation of Malevo, I did not sense any reduction in the quality of NCL's product. In fact, I actually booked two more cruises while I was on board. I will try to post some pictures soon.
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Do they serve breakfast on Great Stirrup Cay?
BenDover replied to canuckgal's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
No -
They will have PLENTY of robes available in the locker rooms and throughout the spa. I do not believe it is the intent, however, for passengers to take the robes back to their cabins. They have hampers for the robes and used towels.
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I have been on 5 NCL cruises, all solo and only once in a studio cabin. I usually find that interior and ocean view cabins are cheaper than a studio - even with the โsingle supplementโ. On three cruises I won a bid on a balcony by bidding the minimum plus $10. On one cruise I wound up paying less for a balcony (utilizing the bidding process) than I would have spent on a studio. Go figure.
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$1000 non-refundable OBC: Anything useful to buy onboard? (male)
BenDover replied to fstuff1's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
A nice watch ๐ -
Also check the sail away price for an outside view. You can never assume one cabin type is cheaper than another cabin type with NCL.
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Glad I saw it twice ๐ Never planning on sailing on Epic again - so I guess not a big deal.
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I always do two nights at Le Bistro One night is the previously mentioned Lobster Thermador - sensational The second night is mushroom soup & Beef Tenderloin
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What are some of your favorite NCL Cruise ship shows?
BenDover replied to RedwingHockeyFan's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
Priscilla is the Best for me so far ๐ Choir of Man is outstanding ๐ SIX was incredible, even though it was not my type of show ๐ค Looking forward to seeing Kinky Boots on a future Alaskan Cruise. ๐ข I have yet to see a bad NCL stage show -
How social are people on NCL cruises?
BenDover replied to New2cruise2022's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
They area as social as you want them to be ๐ if you want to be left alone - you will be left alone. if you want to make friends - you WILL make friends -
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Nickel & Dime - Yes! Surprise Charges - No
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I donโt need mine to be crisp ๐
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Whatโs cruising solo like aboard NCL?
BenDover replied to WhaleTailFlCruiser's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
This January will be my fifth cruise with NCL - all of them solo ๐ I have never been in a studio but have one booked on this upcoming cruise. I cruise for rest and relaxation so I donโt attend any single functions, however I always meet nice people and they have often invited me to join them at a table or for a show. I eat all my meals at the speciality restaurants and have always been treated well. The only exception has been Teppanyaki where I was seated, twice, with people who were not into it. Since Iโm staying in a studio, I will keep an eye out if they have a singles group sign up for Teppanyaki ๐. Bottom line is I have never felt like I was getting second class treatment because I am traveling solo AND I have never paid a 100% supplement ๐ -
THANKS EVERYONE!!!
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Is it customs first and then pickup bags or the other way around?