ColdCruise

I am terrible at remembering names & faces ….doesn't matter if it’s my new battalion commander, my bosses’ new 4 star, the new female CEO at my company (all of which embarrassingly occurred) … or the sommelier in the Prima Onda who happens to turn up 14 months later in the Viva Le Bistro. i was terribly flattered that I was recognized as she probably sees at least 700 new guests each week and I am a fairly average looking person. Totally unexpected !

@Von & John It was My Mom’s Thai. Interesting owner, hope get back up there (so many places to go…..)

Your photos of the park are inspiring and have moved Torre del Paine up in my queue of places to visit. But I must do more research as I think it might deserve several days (ie not as a cruise excursion). As ever, thanks 🙏

@scubacruiserx2 to be clear, the photos of the flight & excursion to Torres del Paine were completed as a HAL excursion (posts #61-6)? NCL doesn’t have a comparable excursion? But you are able to book such as part of your independent travels after the NCL cruise (but not independently during)? Happy Holidays and safe travels !

At least the penguin made those orcas work for their meal. I wonder how they portion out the meal? thanks for sharing !

Exactly I read others posting that they asked to remove the foie gras and they did not have the surcharge. I asked for the filet to be prepared without the foie gras but was still surcharged. I probably should have asked before hand but I think it (surcharge or not) is something that will be at the server’s discretion. It was still delicious but Onda’s was better — and no foie gras or surcharge 😄

And if you still can’t get the times you want in,one, use the chat function or call. I was able to get several reservations that showed unavailable online that way. Also if you want to secure MDR times they can only be booked online, could not make them on the ship, even using the concierge (suite, not Haven). Although that usually isn’t needed, but I like to have an eating plan so I fill every evening on my cruise planned.

@mking8288 All valid points. There may also be value in posting or reading the port stop threads. OTOH maybe no one on the roll call has experience or interest in the OP’s proposed travels or the OP is trying to broaden the base for input? Some roll calls are way more active early on and sadly some never get past a couple pages…. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all travelers today (IRL and armchair alike), 🎄

thank you for your review & comments. I enjoyed how you grouped the topics together. We did go to Syd Norman’s a couple times, which we weren’t able to do in Prima. The musicians were very capable and the Rumours cover was good. Our BTS tour covered the same areas you mentioned, and agree the theater backstage was the most interesting due to the enthusiasm and willingness to answer a LOT of questions. I think the lady who led that was getting off the ship shortly after our cruise, maybe in January?

@jemz1949 We were in a suite, which included the option the breakfast or lunch at Cagney’s. As I understand it, Haven passengers have a dedicated restaurant so don’t breakfast at Cagney’s. I think @BirdTravelswas in Viva Haven earlier this month, maybe check with her? She has a detailed live report here.

After final payment if you’re on a roll call and people say they’re getting reservations and you still can’t do it online, CALL or chat NCL and ask them to help. We’ve had to do that a couple times.

I would do as @debenson0723suggest in post #5. Nix NCL’s air. Spend 2 full days in London then go to Paris for a couple days. Seems this would be 5 days post cruise 2 London 1 travel 2 Paris with late flight from Paris. CDG is a good way outside Paris but can be reached by public transit. If you decide to do this, I’d suggest putting together your planned island itinerary & timeline, then post on the appropriate forums in Trip Advisor. I’ve had great luck with the feedback on my proposed itinerary, tweaking them and sometimes some suggests something else I’ve what I’d planned (eg megaliths in France en route to Chartres). alternately, if you can’t spare the time, when you’re at Le Havre a visit to the D Day battlefields would be highly recommended if that interests you. I’d go with that over the 2-3 hours each way to Paris. We used D Day Battle Tours - excellent operation! we focused on the US sector,,but they also do the Canadian and British beaches. But if you opt for Paris, stick with the NCL excursion- there was a cruise earlier this year that left people behind because of a snafu with traffic getting back to port. Search cruise critic for the thread.

Thanks for shari nag, again. Look forward to your photos and commentary in January.

Yes I think the breakfast steaks came out so well because of their thinness. As you said, get a decent sear on a 1/2 inch (or thinner?) steak and it’s cooked to a good MR …and avoids the dryer (ie finishing oven)

Nah - we got a $350 pp upgrade from club balcony to a suite. Living large that cruise, back to steerage next cruise 🤣

So odd,,we had ability to eat breakfast in Cagney and the small breakfast steak (a thin strip) was perfectly MR … every time

Also @kwokpot for some reason I did not make the connection between Cagney’s design elements and Wright’s work - very nice description and analysis, thank you!

@kwokpot so glad to hear Cagney figured out how to cook a ribeye to a proper MR. Mine was curiously DRY, even though the center was pink and I tried to tell the waiter & chef it was more medium. my review of our meal at Cagney can be read for comparison here - the OMG cheesecake was exactly that!

Thanks for the camera info @scubacruiserx2 and for sharing your memories via your photos. i agree, Antarctica is the show .. I am hooked, now to wait for my 2025 visit! this was a good “fix” 🤗 I knew about the water convergence but that photo from space and of your HAL ship in it… wow!

The river is fed by glacier melt so the green color is from the minerals

Thank you, will bear in mind for next port stop there.

@Shocker, which port were you at?

Which port will you be at @terrysko2000?

They were open when we got off the ship and walked over. We bought out tickets and had to return in 30 minutes for our slot. $25 pp the spider monkeys were adorable especially the babies (3-8 weeks old) they peed on us so wear something with that in mind - 😝

Check the “get your guide” app - I saw several, advertised there. or I booked my taxi through booking dot com when I made my hotel reservation.