Sand and Seas

Tortola is a lovely island and a favorite of ours. I hope this isn't a sign of them cancelling it from other cruises.

This will definitely make a difference on Alaskan or other cold weather cruises.  Will they add more seating with so many wanting to spend time there?  

On our recent ten day southern Caribbean Encore cruise, we maybe visited the Observation Lounge on two or three days.  Lots of space available on those days.

29 minutes ago, roddy good boy said:

This is my first post COVID cruise. I remember there was an alternative specialty restaurant that Haven guests could complementary go to on that first day (Margaritaville, and then later American Diner). Is there an alternative? 

There was the American Diner on many ships, but earlier this year it became a complimentary venue for all.  No longer an exclusive lunch for Haven embarkation.  Sadly, no more Lobster rolls on the menu.  However, we did enjoy eating lunch there a couple of times. 

52 minutes ago, genealogyfan said:

I just got off the Prima last week and they didn't have any cookies anywhere. People were complaining about it with each other too.

We just got off the Prima last week too.   We received a plate of fresh & delicious cookies delivered to our room.  It was probably one of our Club Suite 'amenity' deliveries.  I didn't look for cookies elsewhere and never ate at the buffet.  We loved Indulge Food Hall and were quite satisfied with the hand scooped ice cream choices most days.   

(My mom was a genealogy 'fan' too!  Decades ago, I spent many hours helping her research those old microfiche files.)

57 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Not happy about the new Thai place replacing Food Republic. Also not too happy about an entire restaurant dedicated just to vegetarian diners. That seems something better suited to a food truck in Indulge rather than an entire sit down place. I'm sure there's more veggie friendly folks than I think there are, but I seriously doubt it will be a place that appeals to >50% of the guests.

The Thai place isn't vegetarian, but I will miss Food Republic.  

Reading the article above, the vegetarian venue is one of the 'food trucks' in Indulge. It sounds like they are increasing from seven (on Prima) to ten venues on the new ship.  I'm hopeful that the other new venues they are adding to Indulge will give us some favorites from Food Republic and/or Shanghai menus from other ships.   

17 hours ago, wdwkings said:

Use MIA more for work but have used it for a few non work trips.  TSA can vary.  TSA pre check will help and Clear is an option if you are a member.

 

Our shortest TSA was with pre check last year after a cruise, 5 min or less at terminal H for Delta.  It is predominantly American at the North Terminal.  So remember which carrier can impact waits at the terminal.

Good point.  We used TSA pre-check after Miami cruise last week.  Delta terminal H was about 5 minutes.

We usually stay one night before cruise at the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon for all of the reasons people have listed here.  Great place to unwind after travel.  Free Shuttle from airport and inexpensive shuttle to port.  Staff is great.  Decent breakfast.  We have stayed there pre-cruise at least 9 or 10 times.

Besides the Publix and Cuban restaurant across the street, we have also found it handy to have somewhere to shop for something we forgot to pack....like sandals!  There is a Burlington Coat Factory that has any item of clothing you might have forgotten.

On 4/17/2024 at 7:16 PM, Ashland said:

We certainly didn't have to "ask" as they (several of them from the same company) were walking just outside the terminal doors holding big signs and calling out "Shuttle to MIA...$10.00pp" hard to miss them.

After reading about these shuttles here, we used them from port to MIA just a few days ago.  As you say, very easy to find.  Leaving Norwegian's terminal, we went towards the taxi line and the shuttles were just across the lane.  Our shuttle held 11 passengers so it was quickly filled and we were on our way.

8 hours ago, Beach Life 1 said:

Has anyone sailed since April 1, and received the water package?  Is it one package for the cabin,  or a package for each player (Pearl and above)  in the cabin?  Also,  are the water boxes the large size,  or the small size?  It states 12 pack for 11 nights or more.  So would that be 24 boxes total for two people?  Thanks for any info.

We just returned from a 11 day cruise.   There were 12 one-liter water boxes in our cabin for one CAS (Ruby) player.  I don't know what they will do for two Pearl and above.    We also had four small 1/2 liter waters due to our Latitudes status.

About a week into the cruise, the casino host asked if we needed more water but we did not.   Based on your play, the host on board may send you wine, chocolates or water during cruise. 

We are looking forward to the new Thai restaurant.

And, it sounds like Indulge Food Hall is going from seven mini-venues to ten on the Aqua.  One of those is vegetarian, but I wonder what the others will be?   Perhaps they can offer some of the Food Republic choices or Shanghai's Dim-Sum/Potstickers🤞 

We love Indulge on Prima and ate many times.   One of the ships officers chatted with us during dinner and said they are looking for ways to add the popular food hall concept to other ships.  Wonderful variety of small plates like  grilled pineapple (like Moderno's) and fresh made Fresno chili Naan bread.   The Q had good ribs at dinner or pulled pork sandwiches at lunch.  Great Tapas like we have enjoyed on other ships.   Really something for everyone to enjoy and I'm guessing less food waste than the buffet.   

On 4/17/2024 at 4:06 PM, laudergayle said:

We did FWD-facing CBS on the Prima.  NYC to Bermuda.  We were very disappointed in our cabin choice.  The balcony is way too windy, and the bottom is metal so in order to see anything you need to stand up.  We will likely never do a FWD facing again on any ship…just don’t want to take a chance.  

We loved our CBS on Prima.  These cabins are the last four or five at the Aft and seem to have extra floor space due to the curvature of the ship's structure for that area. 

The balcony was decent sized with two comfy chairs and an interesting view.  It is a decent walk to the elevators, but we needed the walk for exercise😎 

4 hours ago, hachtely said:

I just got a CasNext March 23, 2024….there is no expiration date on it.   I had previously gotten one and it said it had to be used within a year of being issued….I’m thinking maybe they have eliminated the expiration period (the way they did with CruiseNext).  
 

Unlike CruiseNext, CasNext are not transferable

 

You CAN use 2 CasNexts for 1 stateroom during DoubleUp promotions.   

 

The Certificate says CasNext cannot be combined with Cruise First Certificates

 

The Certificate “says” it can’t be combined with CruiseNexts either BUT when I got the Certificate both the casino host and the Future Cruise Director told me that during DoubleUp promotions, it CAN.  
 

I haven’t tried to use this CasNext yet….

 

 

I just got two CASNext certificates four days ago.  My certificates still show the Terms & Conditions that say you must book & complete sailing within one year.  I would love if they do not expire, but I haven't seen anything that would suggest such a change.  

My certificates also say you can use two if it meets criteria for DoubleUp, and three if it meets criteria during a TripleUp promo.  It specifically says you can't use with CruiseNext.  Again, it would be great if T&Cs are changing for CASNext, but I wasn't told anything different.

10 hours ago, eatSleepVacation said:

No Sugarcane on Aqua? Le sigh.

No Sugarcane on Prima either.   

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Looks like a few new dining and imbibing options are coming to Aqua. 

 

- Thai (yes, please)

- Wine (meh)

- Vegan (grossssssssssss)

 

https://www.nclhltd.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/

Thai sounds  great. Thanks for sharing link. 

Also like the idea of expanding  Indulge to ten specialties.   Prima officer was telling us they are trying  to add more  Indulge  food halls but hard to fit on the older  ships.

10 minutes ago, bob.chan@sympatico.ca said:

Just got back yesterday Bermuda  R/T New York.  Ship was beautiful.  We (wife, myself and son) had an inside 2 bedroom, absolutely gorgeous, everything looks brand new 👍

Welcome  to  Cruisecritic!   

We love the Joy.  Glad you enjoyed your cruise 😎

Indulge Food hall ( Prima) has a nice selection  of Indian food with some tasty vegetarian selections. The dinner menu also has fresh  made Naan 😋   

On 4/11/2024 at 8:56 PM, deefer said:

I believe that Ruby status gives you free drinks anywhere on the ship (not just the casino).
 

But it does look like free drinks casino invited guests used to receive in the casino is no longer happening......?

Yes.  Ruby  player and one guest have UB on your  keycard  for  drinks  anywhere on board.   It's the  basic  FAS drink  package  but you  are not charged  the 20 percent  fee.  

3 hours ago, Coastalbreezes said:

Question for any Ruby players who have sailed since April 1st: I read on the "other site" that the beverage package is not indicated on your key card and that you have to go to Guest Services where they look up your reservation, supposedly see that you are Ruby and reprint your keycard that shows the beverage package.

 

Is this true? It seems ridiculous and a waste of time.

Call CAS before  sailing and  ask  them to send you  an updated  Amenities confirmation for  your  reservation.   Ours showed BEVPK1 at zero  cost for  Unlimited Open Bar Package.   When we checked  in at Port our  cards were  already  printed  with UB.

Currently  on the  Prima.  They delivered a plate of cookies  to our cabin yesterday.  We didn't  see any  in the observation  lounge  but we have only  been there  once during  afternoon snack  time.

For Prima, I believe it was the Improv club across from Syd Norman's.   I saw a lot of backpacks and  small bags there as we boarded.  There was an employee checking them in.

55 minutes ago, cruisin4familyfun said:

In early March, during our Getaway cruise, the Haven policy of one lobster tail per person was in place. My husband requested two (no turf) and was informed of the additional charge for the second. No big deal, I requested a lobster tail for myself. I stated that I would be giving it to my hubby. The waiter chuckled and brought out the extra lobster tail on his plate - no extra charge. 🙂 

Perfect!

I bet  your  server loved that soluion😊

2 hours ago, goldmom said:

We were on the Getaway about a month ago.  I noticed the Haven menu didn't mention the upcharge for the lobster.  When I asked about changing the turf for surf the waiter then said that there was an extra charge.  I hope you're right and they did away with the extra charge, but I wouldn't count on it just because it isn't showing on the menu.

Sounds confusing.   I would  rather  they just post it on the menu so the server doesn't have  to explain.   

I like a crabcake and lobster  tail.  Will they have to call that an upcharge?  Doesn't make  sense to me.

12 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Talking with the host team, they are selling this as an enhancement to Ruby and above since you get a beverage package that works 24/7 (not just when the casino is open). 

For us, the new Ruby benefits are an improvement.   Others may wish for Premium Plus but comped FAS to use shipwide meets our needs.

@BirdTravels,  Hope you have a wonderful cruise!  Encore is one of our favorites.

Thanks for sharing with us all😎

@cygnets, thanks for posting about your upgrades on your summary page.  I'm Ruby, but nothing showing on my summary page for my 3 booked cruises.

As changes to program were still being made yesterday (per agent I spoke with), I would suggest you keep an eye on that summary page.  It could take awhile for them to sort out the Tier promos.