mollybloomers

2 minutes ago, Fredric22 said:

Did you even read what you just posted the link to?  I can't even anymore. A better hobby is definitely out there.  "Randomised controlled trials in health care workers showed that respirators, if worn continually during a shift, were effective but not if worn intermittently. Medical masks were not effective, and cloth masks even less effective."   

That's a heck of a cherry pick. The real conclusion is below. Regardless, I'm not arguing with you anymore. My original reply was to someone who said that there were no studies. I showed there were. You said you didn't believe them bc they weren't randomized. I showed you two - including one that randomized 350,000 people. I doubt there is any convincing you, regardless of facts. And that's fine. It's not the purpose of these boards. This is my happy place, and I just won't spend any more time arguing with a brick wall. Cheers!

"The study suggests that community mask use by well people could be beneficial, particularly for COVID-19, where transmission may be pre-symptomatic. The studies of masks as source control also suggest a benefit, and may be important during the COVID-19 pandemic in universal community face mask use as well as in health care settings. Trials in healthcare workers support the use of respirators continuously during a shift. This may prevent health worker infections and deaths from COVID-19, as aerosolisation in the hospital setting has been documented."

2 minutes ago, Fredric22 said:

And not one of them a randomly controlled trial... so save yourself 49 reasons to waste time. 🙂

"A study published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies found that out of a total of 19 randomized controlled trials of communities, masks were effective — even without hand washing. "

And, here's another. The largest one yet! Involving over 350,000 people.  https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02457-y

On 2/8/2022 at 10:53 AM, Diver2014 said:

"The decision to wear a mask covering when onboard is at the discretion of each guest"

 

Hallelujah!  And yes, the crew should also have the option of going maskless.  I haven't been able to locate any study where a mask actually reduces or prevents the spread.  But if it makes you feel safer, please feel free to wear one.

There are 49 peer reviewed studies showing that effectiveness of masks. Let me know if you want me to send you any! 🙂

7 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@mollybloomersPlease clarify and I will do my best to answer.

 

Cruise well

If this menu is still up to date, they sell Refreshers (acai, berry, etc.).They are my favorites on land. I am just wondering if they are included in the Plus package. Or is is just coffee drinks, like frappuccinos, espressos, ice coffee, etc

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

I am sorry folks, I was being very light hearted with my comments on drinking.  Allow me to get this thread back on track.  

 

This thread has been invaluable to me, as some who also makes spreadsheets when traveling for fun 🙂 So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

On topic, with the Premium Plus package, being able to go to Starbucks is a huge plus (not as much as the Whistle Pig, but I digress...). Can you get the refreshers as well with the package? Or just coffee based drinks? Thanks again! 

My husband and I will be on the Breakaway at the end of the moth. Very excited to try Haven for the first time!

My question is about the Premium Plus drink package. I love all the options included, specifically the rose and champagne. However, I've been hearing rumblings that many of those items have been unavailable. So, can anyone currently on the Breakaway - or other ships - or on a recent sailing, let me know if they had trouble with actually ordering Premium Plus items? 

3 hours ago, NCLGirl2013 said:

It is at a Marriott right around the corner from Fulton Garage which I highly recommended parking at as it was a really quick and simple walk from the garage to the COVID testing facility and then back to the garage to grab luggage and ride the shuttle to the port 

So, do they have a time limit on when you get your Covid test results and when you can check in? We have a hotel close by, and were going to leave our bags there - just in case. 

We have gotten the Vibe passes and they are nice but don't get overly worried if you miss. They are not all that much of a big deal. We have passed up on them each of the subsequent times we were on the relevant ships and we were on board in plenty of time to get them if we wanted them. Its one of those 'do it one time' things at best.

Is there another quiet/non-kids spot you recommend on BA? I just want relaxation in the sun :)

Since Haven, Platinum, etc. board first, does anyone know when all of us plebes start boarding?

I am cruising on the Breakaway out of NYC in June. With the new boarding procedures, is there a point to getting to the port early? Ideally I would LOVE to get a Vibe pass. Obviously, Haven, Platinum, etc will have their chance at it first. So, I guess my question, should I show up early hoping to get on early enough or not even waste my time and sleep in that day?

My SO and I just returned from a 7 day cruise on the GEM

(Review to come soon!). We LOVED it. It was my first time on NCL and his first cruise ever. We loved it so much, we bought 4 Cruise Next credits. So...what next?

What is your favorite ship? And why?

What we loved:

The spa (Next time he wants to get a weekly pass)

Food

The quiet areas like The Great Outdoors and Spinnaker when it's empty (Big readers)

What we didn't:

Tiny pool deck

The shows were hit or miss

Just 3 more sleeps til the Gem!

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Did the Island Splendor tour today, the weather was a problem. It rained from the time we left, 9 AM, until 12:30 PM, very heavy at times. The downpour on the metal roof made it very hard to understand the woman explaining the batik printing process, and some of the views from 2,000 feet were fogged out. It is a very informative tour, learned enough Creole to get my face slapped, saw 1700 acre banana plantation and a nice little fishing village. Lots of Rastifarians on this island of St. Lucia. lasted about 3.75 hours, was worth the trip, got to taste banana ketchup. Supposedly the rainy season is from June to November, so hopefully the 11/13 and 11/27 cruises won't be so wet. I did get back in time to have lunch and play afternoon trivia, I now have 14 signatures.

I'm glad you mentioned trivia. I'm a trivia fiend! Are trivia games sprinkled throughout the day or is there just 1 a day?

I haven't seen this posted anywhere but I learned on the Gem repositioning cruise last week (NYC to San Juan) that over the next 7 weeks, while the Gem sails out of San Juan, NCL will be refurbishing all staterooms. Each week a portion of rooms will be blocked off and renovated so that by the time the Gem gets back to NYC every stateroom will be like new. When the Gem was updated in 2015 the staterooms were not touched so it's nice that NCL is taking steps to update the rest of the ship. The public spaces were beautiful but the rooms were outdated and the rooms could definitely use the face lift.

 

Lucky for those on the San Juan sailings who will have a ship only 6/7 full!

Great to hear! I'll be on her next week. Fingers crossed my room is being worked on this week.

I am sailing the Gem in a few weeks and was wondering if anyone knows whether iced coffee is available. I have no problem paying a little extra for my caffeine!

Thank you so much for the review! I'll be on the Gem in just 3 weeks. Tick tock. Tick tock.

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In 22 days I'll be on the Gem sipping a pina colada.

I'm not a dessert person. Seriously, NO sweet tooth. Does the MDR offer cheese plates for post-dinner treats?

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Seems like they're putting extreme effort into the Glow parties and pulling back on the white hot.

I'll be on my 1st GEM(and NCL) cruise this November. Do all of the ships do both a white party and a glow party? For some reason I was thinking there was only 1?

You sound like the best person to travel with. So positive:)

I'm on the GEM in November and this review is getting me so excited!

I am curious to know what ship people think have the best pool and sundeck?

I am someone who loves to lay by the pool and read and needs that and beach time while on vacation (which is why I always go to the Caribbean!:) ). I am booked on the GEM for November, but just curious other people's opinions for when/if I decide to book another ship in the future.

Responding the same about available drinks... As mentioned, each bar has a drink menu, but this only lists popular fruity vacation drinks, and is different at each bar on the ship. Also, each bar has different availability of various liquors. The lists posted on menus isn't necessarily the only boozes served there. We sailed the ESCAPE in December and my husband and I had the drink package. Almost every drink we ordered, I would specify a double pour, and high end liquor, and was never charged anything. As the Doug Out has said, the beer bar had plenty of great beers to choose from, and only a couple of them were higher than $15.00 The key is to bring a stack of $1 bills, and tip one buck per drink. Your bartenders will remember you, and always make your drinks more than worth the extra dollar you tipped! Yes, even though its over and above the 18% gratuities you've already been charged for, it is money well spent!

That's what I plan on doing. I was a bartender during college and definitely know the benefits of tipping generously.

I do not see Maker's Mark on the list anymore....:( It is my choice when drinking a manhattan ....looks like I need to pick a new replacement!

Try Bulluit! It's fabulous, and IMHO better than Makers.

For those that think my opinion is based on me not having any children are wrong. I have four children. And yes I understand how toddlers moods change. That's why I keep my kids with me on a cruise ship when I go ashore instead of leaving them behind. Maybe y'all just have ill mannered children that u don't want to spend time with. We as a family sit down and look at all the excursions available long before we cruise and select those excursions that we can participate as a family. In my 33 years of marriage and children ranging in ages from 31 to 12. We have always included our children in all of our vacations.

 

 

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This is wonderful! I'm in food journalism and am going know my first NCL this November, so I've definitely been looking for this kind of review.