happy cruzer

For lower calories, fish/seafood is your friend :).  Can't wait for the food pictures!  Enjoy every minute!

31 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

I have never had a problem dining at a specialty for lunch on a port day. I have not had UDP in almost a year, so maybe they are enforcing that rule now? Have it again next week, will see what happens.

This is an old thread that has a post that states if the specialty is open then you can use the UDP which what I experienced the one time I had the UDP a year ago. Please report your experience (it might even be worth opening a new topic before your cruise to specifically ask about the lunches; I am 45 days out and want to know as well).

15 hours ago, Kreative03 said:

Is there a time for the daily credit? I know on port days lunch is not included and we got hosed once on Harmony for not paying attention at Sabor when we tried for an early happy hour.  

Wow, please share more about your experience on harmony.  I really want to have lunch on port days at sabor at 2.  And at Johnny rockets.

what other restaurants did you try?

Not much entertainment on Oceania that compares to royal.  Is there an equivalent to traditional dining with a set time each night?

On 9/5/2023 at 9:41 PM, pcur said:

My thoughts exactly:  I've never had an issue with switching on board and getting a refund (of some kind).

Any info regarding my last question?

Regarding booking the reservation online ahead of time and then getting a refund because you have UDP -  has anyone ever had an issue getting the refund?  How and when do you get it?  Is there anything in writing that you can use to help get the refund.

Would really like to reserve the lunches ahead of time.  Thanks

Covid restart??  That was a while back.  I think the general comments on food dipped then recovered a bit.

Just go read recent reviews on the ship you are sailing.  Focus on the food that you want to enjoy - buffet, MDR, or specialty dining.

19 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

 

It used to be this way in the old terminal before it was revamped.
 

We haven’t been to the new terminal. Are you saying they didn’t install the zig-zag Disney type ramps in the new terminal? 
 

I have seen serious mishaps at airports and at the old Galveston port where people have had accidents with luggage on the escalators which makes it very dangerous for the people following, in addition to the passenger themselves.

 

Given the very high percentage of guests that self-disembark I would be surprised if they hadn’t taken this into consideration in a new terminal. 

Accidents with luggage happen everywhere.  Not sure about the "very dangerous"  description.

If the escalator situation is "very dangerous" hopefully they designed in enough elevators to handle everyone.

Looking forward to the new terminal.

Thanks to all who shared their experiences.  Just reserved North Lot.  Looking forward to no shuttle ride 🙂

On 1/26/2024 at 12:56 PM, eroller said:

Cost cutting has to be a balance.  You can’t just cut staple elements of a product that took years to cultivate and expect to maintain the integrity of the product (or the premium per diems for that matter). I think NCL is smarter than that.  They may not license hit broadway shows, but they are likely to produce their own elaborate productions which honestly is what most lines do, including Royal and Disney.  Royal does license a few Broadway productions but the majority of their shows, including the ice and diving shows, are all produced in-house.   I just don’t see NCL offering nothing but game shows as headliner evening entertainment.  In that case they might as well close their elaborate state of the art production facility shoreside.  Cost millions to build.  

Thanks for mentioning Royal.  Just booked our entertainment for a royal cruise - 5 different things, the diving show, ice show, 2 musicals, and comedy.  Looking forward to having entertainment most nights.  Royals musicals don't seem to be as good as NCL's version of broadway shows but at least they are an option.

Have not been to game shows.  Only once or twice to the old show based on newlyweds.  Just not interested in them compared to production style entertainment.

Hope NCL rolls out new shows - makes a difference to some of us.

Do you book it in the app?  Is it in the calendar?  Thanks 

Anyone else?

in particular lunch options on port days?

For the med a smaller ship may give significantly more time in port and different ports.  They can go to smaller ports and disembark process is usually much quicker.  Seaborne would be my choice based on your list.

Well, the suggestion that RCCL may go to only the buffet included could be right.  However, the other lines seem to be adding included casual dining spots as well as keeping their Mdr menus.  Each line will do what they think their target market will support.

The dining will not be apples to apples.

i think the older rccl has only two specialty restaurants so unlimited dining has little choice.  Also in general ncl will have more choices in the buffet and on the mdr menus.  as well ncl has an included pub diner.  Ncl may be significantly better dining wise.

15 hours ago, Tennessee Rose said:

Yes, the server asked for sail/sign card/cabin # to charge the 3rd entree to.... just like they get your card to charge an order for drinks while in MDR. I've gotten a soda with dinner occasionally and they charged it to my sail and sign card. there is a statement regarding this upcharge for each entree over 2 on every menu, along with the MDR extra steakhouse options each night.

Thanks for the report.  Was the charge $5 even or did they add gratuity?

Still don ‘t see a report of an actual charge?  Anyone have first hand experience of being charged?

Perhaps you expected too much from a main stream line?  All the main stream lines except celebrity allow smoking in the casino.  Also they all tend to have inferior beef in complimentary restaurants.  Smaller ships have fewer choices for entertainment;  some would prefer the options you had.

ncl tends to be favoured by cruisers who like the casual/freestyle environment including the many specialty restaurants.

Here's our report from the Breakaway Dec 24.

We had 4 SDP credits -

Used the 1st one in Cagney's by stating we wanted to use 1 and have the second dinner do a la cart.  Shared all courses of the SDP order and a la cart appetizer.  Waiter brought check and pointed out he had only charged the SDP.  Perfect for us, still left some of the ribeye.

Went to Cucino; was seated.  Then told the rules.  Asked to share one credit.  They checked; it was ok.  Shared one app, one pasta, and steak (was way too salty), one dessert.  Plenty of food.  Got receipt showing one credit charged.

Le Bistro at front desk told we only had one credit that two had been used in Cucino.  Told him that was not correct.  He checked the details and corrected.  We used 2 credits in Le Bistro.  Left some food but not enough to worry about.  Best dining experience for us - had the duck and the lamb.

So we made the credits work, don't really like the fine print.  It is what it is.

On 12/19/2023 at 7:40 AM, happy cruzer said:

Anyone actually see a charge for the third entree?  Is it $5, $5 plus grat, $5 plus tax??? 

 

Is this just a policy that does not get enforced?

 

Thanks.

Yes, we know what the policies are.  Any actual experience were it was charged/enforced?  Thanks.

Anyone actually see a charge for the third entree?  Is it $5, $5 plus grat, $5 plus tax??? 

Is this just a policy that does not get enforced?

Thanks.

9 hours ago, villauk said:

 

Not every country has that option.

True, I had forgotten that point.  However, at some point, all cruise reservations have cancellation costs (like the non refundable deposits).  So booking when you are not sure about what you will receive can have a cost for anyone, any where.  If you are more flexible about cabin, dates, itineraries, ships, etc.  then you can book later with less exposure.  Might help mitigate the risk of unwelcome changes.

The cancellation terms and conditions have always made a cruise riskier than many travel options.  Insurance helps but at a cost.

One solution:  Be flexible and do not book with non refundable deposits.

We tried Valiant Lady in Nov.  and really enjoyed the cruise but then we typically enjoy all the different cruise lines.  The biggest difference to Celebrity is the ship and entertainment.  The spaces on Virgin are smaller and starker.  The entertainment is louder and more modern.  That's a generalization; this thread has more detail:

5 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

Sounds just like my first cruise back in 1986 except there was no buffet. All meals were taken in the MDR. All three meals had set times and if you were more than fifteen minutes late, too bad. The doors were shut. No such thing as room service. We did have a midnight buffet but we were not ones who wanted to dine again at midnight. The majority of our entertainment was a few dancers and the cruise director singing. Glad to see that cruising has changed/progressed. 🙂

Yes, and for many years when they added the buffet it did not have many choices and had very limited hours.