IrieBajan54

Isn't there a Five Guys and Checkers at Bayside? I would think that $20 is more than enough for a meal combo. Those burgers should definitely be better than the dried out ones in the Garden Cafe.

I always go to the Latitudes Party. Normally, a few of us solos meet there and enjoy some drinks together. We pay no attention to the CruiseNext sales pitches. Basically, those of us who attend aren't into the beverage package. Whatever I already have on is what I wear.

I've done several TA's and prefer westbound that ended in Florida. The ones that ended in NYC always had chillier and inclement weather where the captain advised to stay indoors on some days. I recall doing NCL's last cruise from Houston on the Jade which turned out to be an eastbound TA. Very memorable with good weather as we cruised the southern route. Lots of activities staged by Meet & Greet organizers including Tai Chi. Only thing I did not like was the negative time change.

I'm a solo cruiser (4 times/yr) and wouldn't book for that price. Since the restart, NCL has been maintaining high single supplements for solos. However, I haven't changed my strategy which is never to book until after final payment is due. I monitor after that point until a doable fare is available.

They are the gratuities for the bartenders/drink waiters. Mind you, some cruisers feel it is still necessary to give the same bartenders/drink waiters cash every drink they bring on top of the aforementioned gratuities already paid. ETA: and specialty dining waiters

Yeah, Moderno is awful except for the salad bar. The meats are tough and they got rid of lamb chops.

Glad to read passengers are pushing back against this unscrupulous business practice. I noticed the cheerleaders have disappeared with all their alternative facts.

I hope you're not taking it laying down and you should demand a prorated refund on the beverage package. This also falls into the category of unsatisfactory service which doesn't warrant higher service fees.

I only do the Behind the Scenes Tour once per ship. I don't see the enjoyment going a second or more times. I was on the Encore recently for the first time and took it. Pretty vanilla or been there, done that. I too like the Dinner With the Officers. On the Encore it was one of the engineers as I vaguely recall.

Never! Why do you find it out of the ordinary? And before you asked, I did not attend Woodstock. 🤣

Well, based on recent reviews, the terminal leaves a lot to be desired. After finishing with the custom officer, I asked where was the restroom. It turns out to be a port-o-potty to the left of the exit door. I've never used a portable toilet before so simply waited until my shuttle got to the airport. Third World cruise terminals I have visited put LA to shame.

TopofWorld, that's the state of affairs now in the industry. Lower standards at higher fares and service fees. Fortunately for them, the ships are packed.

Even though I have not used it, there's supposed to be a location where you can check your bag/luggage after you board. That way you can stroll the ship without dragging around your luggage Just ask one of the crew when you get onboard.

Great review! I was on your cruise but in steerage.🙂 Just so happens that I am one of those who prefer seafood. Went to both Ocean Blue and Cagney's twice and yes, I ate seafood in both places, LOL. However, I don't eat tilapia and that was available too many days for lunch in the Garden Cafe. As for music, I enjoyed Full Coverage in the Atrium and by the pool. I've been cruising for something like 27 years and the disembarkation in LA was the worst ever. Never seen anything like it before. It took at least two hours to get out of the terminal. Luckily, my flight home was after 4:00 p.m.

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In the main dining room, I modify my entree every night. Since I don't want carbs like potatoes or rice at dinner time, I simply tell the waiter only the meat or fish and nothing else on the plate. I also order a second plate of steamed green veggies (any combination of broccoli, asparagus and green beans). I stress to the waiter the veggies should not be overcooked. Must be crunchy, not mushy. They get it right most of the time.

On my recent cruise, my cabin key card had "Casinos At Sea." printed on it. Didn't bother to question why, but it was odd because I'm not a gambler.

I just re-read my post that you quoted and noticed that I made a typo in the sentence "But in 2022, I just ...". Maybe everybody understood that I meant 2023. Anyway, the system is haphazard. I will see if I get lucky on my next cruise.

I used to get zero single supplement on a regular basis before the pandemic. Hard to come by lately. Have been booking all cruises after final payment. Now here is my twist on the per night cost. I figure that everybody has to pay port/taxes and gratuities so I don't include those in my calculation. I determine my per night cost from the base fare only which is the advertised price. Comparing base fare is the only moving target (up or down). ETA: $100 per night would be tops for me. Anything around $60 is ideal. I did an 11 night Auckland to Sydney for $23 per night back in 2019.

On the first 3 of my 4 cruises in 2022, there was abundant smoked salmon in the buffet every morning. Gem, Joy and Prima. Then on my December Bliss cruise it was gone. I wrote a letter to the hotel manager (don't recall the exact title) and dropped it at Guest Relations. The restaurant manager contacted me stating that NCL was cutting it fleetwide in the buffet. Prior to the pandemic, I used to eat breakfast in the dining room to be served instead of serving myself. But in 2022, I just liked eating breakfast quickly after exercising. I have to wonder if they have to throw out all that salmon mousse at the end of the day? Yuk!

My cruise on the Gem left a day after yours. I am mainly a seafood eater but don't like tilapia. Anyway, I love salmon and like you, never saw it on this cruise in the main dining rooms for dinner. I prefer grilled salmon but would settle for broiled if that is offered. Previous cruises always had salmon on some nights. One other thing, I like smoked salmon for breakfast. It is no longer available in the buffet. So I was forced or coerced into eating breakfast in the Grand Pacific. Less availability cuts food cost, obviously!

I have always been lucky at MCT and maybe it's because I do self luggage walk off. Getting off the Gem two days ago, the line looped around Guest Relations forward and then all the way back up and into Bliss Lounge. Then all the way up to exit the ship. It was a slow process but the line moved. The CBP-Immigration staff in the terminal were using facial recognition and some personnel were directing passengers to the agents with the cameras. So at that point it was moving pretty quickly.

I was on the same cruise and solo. I was on deck 10 and had a friendly and personable cabin steward. I exercise daily and have to wash out my workout gear, then roll in towels to quicken drying. Even though my cabin wasn't cleaned until late afternoon daily, at least I got the towels requested. But the guy obviously was stretched thin and that is NCL's fault. I was one of those who got their luggage after 5:00 p.m. I ended up giving the cabin steward a hero card because he got my towel request done daily. Other than him, no one else deserved one.

I will disembark in May and originally planned to get a Uber. I am surprised because I did not think NCL had a shuttle that early to LAX. Maybe I should reconsider?

I got both the email and the coupons are posted on my account. Too bad it's only for Alaska. Been there, done that. If only they were for other destinations, I could take advantage. I think Alaska bookings are soft and the coupons should stimulate reservations.