jlowe420

1 hour ago, joydivision84 said:

When companies implement cost cutting in the way NCL has, they very rarely bring things back that were cut. The stuff cut, becomes the new normal and they expect, or hope customers to adjust then forget. The cuts are more about increasing profit stream percentages, rather than actually needing to cut. So sadly I wouldn't anticipate things cut ever bring reinstated.

I know its just sad to see such basic things taken away.  Now, if the chefs are out there short-order cooking hasbrowns then no biggie, save those costs by cutting out the premade frozen ones.  But just removing them all together is sad.  Home Fries or other breakfast potatoes are not quite as good IMO.

My fondest memory of my first cruise when i was 12 was going to the midnight breakfast buffet.

1 hour ago, richmke said:

Anyone ever seen Biscuits and Gravy?

I've never seen it on the menu, but both are available in the breakfast buffet.  I will say that the "cream" gravy tastes terrible, every time I have tried it was just flour taste, no flavor.  Not something I'd eat.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH NCL REMOVING HASH BROWNS?!?!?!?

That is literally insane.  There's cutting costs and then there is cutting costs.  I didn't much care for the ones that they had (too onion-y) but it's a staple like bacon.  They best have on point other breakfast potatoes.  I think this may be my last cruise for a little while until we're past the cost cutting to make up for covid is over.

On 10/17/2023 at 1:10 PM, PATRLR said:

Wow - Has anyone else seen this "benefit"?

I've actually had them send me with a bottle of wine.  It's all about the tips 🙂

23 hours ago, Magicbar said:

Solo male cruiser  going on NCL Joy - Panama Canal to Miami December 6-16, 2023'

 

Taken 20 or so cruises with NCL and for the first time have upgraded to Premium Plus Package and Vibe pass for the week.  Is it possible to get for example Johnnie Walker Blue label which is available in the Haven I believe at the Vibe bar? May not be a stocked item, but if I request and tip the bar staff gernerously can they get it?

 

Thanks an advance for any assistance.

There will be no top shelf liquor at the vibe bar, sorry.  but you can enjoy "shot o-clock"

I did a Miami - ABC Islands - Panama Canal - Miami cruise in the vibe and had a blast.  Everyone became friends because you just hang out with the small group all week.  Have fun!

I once complained to guest services about the local moving to the late night menu early on the last night of the cruise and received a wonderful 6:00AM and 6:15AM wake up call. 

I would consider myself a pretty good tipper on land and in restaurants, but for some reason on a cruise I have a hard time stomaching all of the tips we are "expected" to give.

Room Steward:  I do about $100 on a 10ish day cruise.

Butler:  Depends on how good the service as been, but assuming decent $100 on a 10ish day cruise.

Concierge:  Most times, $0.  I've given $50 a few when they did something helpful.  I frankly don't think making a reservation for you is special.  I mean thats literally their whole job. 

Maybe if they would kick the children off of the sundeck that would inspire a tip.

I'll typically make a small tip at specialty restaurants but really where most of the money goes is to the casino servers and bartenders.  I make sure on day one to introduce myself and make sure they know me and my drink.  I tip right off the bat so they seem me coming and are pouring my glass of wine ahead of the crowd.

Prima:  Private Elevators.

2 hours ago, BubbaBoat said:

What cruise will you be on?  Can I meet you and share dinner in The Haven, while my wife enjoys the buffet?

It's never happened I was just posing a hypothetical! 😅

I ask the butler to bring me a sandwich every evening and just leave it in the room and that's my midnight snack if I'm hungry.  This is about the only real use for them.  

I've always had a good experience packing the bag as full as possible and it all comes back nicely folded in a basket.  You do have to pull the little tags they put on stuff off -- you'll find them a year later and be reminded of your cruise!

I wonder if it has to due with winds -- they were blown off dock the other day there and the gangways fell into the water.  I was there back in June and it was beautiful.  We also skipped Isafjordur and had an extra sea day.

It's a cruise, it's not a prison ship.

23 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Yeah.....I'm figuring any issues I may have I'm sort of on my own with any of the mobile companies.  I have an iPhone with an eSIM, so no physical SIM card.  Not sure how that works.  But, got a couple of months to figure it out for international calling.

You can use the app airalo to buy an esim.  I bought 5GB of data for all of Europe for like $15 and it worked flawlessly on my Iceland/Norway/Denmark/Amsterdam/London cruise.  Took a little fiddling to make sure I would connect to the correct network in each country but was far superior to trying to add international plans on to my verizon account.

1 hour ago, hallux said:

I agree, I thought there was something said about #3 being a little bigger to support a different fuel type (larger tanks needed for that fuel).

you're right - it's supposed to be LNG for the first time on #3.

My experience is that the regular drinks package, which a majority of folks in the haven have, only cover drinks up to $15 and soda from the gun.

If you have the premium plus drinks package they will give you the cans and bottled water. 

Last cruise, my butler also told me right away he couldn't bring cans of coke to my room to stock the fridge, but when I suggested I would just bring them from the haven bar he kept them stocked the whole time.  I think its for sure hit or miss, but the plus package is what enables cans - and it's an upcharge.

I was on the 5/25 Prima sailing and we were told when we boarded.  Maybe they have altered course?

1 minute ago, Treasure Hunter said:

You will meet many terrific people in the Haven, either at the bar or around the pool who will invite you to join them. The bar and lounge can be very jolly. 

Sometimes people are so friendly that I have to abandon the haven bar because they won't stop making small talk and interrupt my social media browsing.

1 minute ago, NikkiPoooo27 said:

I've been told absolutely yes, since I've paid the fare for 2 people. On the Jewel class ships where they don't have a Haven Restaurant I was told specifically that I was allowed to bring a guest to breakfast and lunch at Cagney’s as well. 

Interesting.  My guess is that I would experience the same.  Don't worry folks - I'm an introvert.  I won't meet someone on the ship and invite them to meals.  That's the opposite of my personality! 

8 minutes ago, UKstages said:

lifeboat views in le bistro.

LOL.  Danny with Harr Travel did a tour of this room on the prima and said something along the lines of "Make sure to pick window seats so you can have that terrific view outside"

All I can remember about my dinner there with mom was the view of lifeboats.  Literally no window would have been better.

Just now, CDR Benson said:

 

I don't think the curcumstance of a solo traveller in the Haven changes or obviates any of the points raised in the previous posts on this topic.

Just having paid double occupancy a few times for the haven it always bothers me 🙂

What does everyone think about this scenario.  A solo traveler in the haven.  Should they be allowed to bring a friend or someone they met on the ship to dinner in the haven restaurant? 

3 hours ago, SpacemanSpiff said:

One of the workers, Mikel Tacder Alolor, has recently put up some videos of how things are coming along on the Viva.  Here is one where he is walking around on Deck 7, starting at Hudson's and ending up at Le Bistro.

 

https://fb.watch/l_9h4mOieP/

 

interesting!  The only difference I could notice from the Prima is the video wall at the metropolitan.

I think in an early map the cigar room wasn't there, but now we at least know it is.

10 minutes ago, Karaboudjan said:

This does not apply to all ships, but on Prima (and Viva also I presume) the Vibe is only steps away from the buffet, so it is a great place to bring your food and eat in much more peace and quiet.  I'm not sure what the route is back to the Haven but it can't be nearly as convenient.

You have to go out the door, and down the stairs one flight to 16.  Then you can walk through the heavy fire door on the right hand side to enter into the haven bar area.

I agree it's a very good place to take a plate of food from the buffet.  Literally right outside of the buffet.  If you are haven you could always bring your phone and ring the butler for food.  I've never actually done that but I see it listed as the perks.

On the NCL Prima, with the unlimited internet package.   Someone set my home alarm off and my phone rang on the ship when the alarm company called me.  I think it was wifi calling - I was pretty impressed.

3 minutes ago, Sigyn said:

Were you able to pre-book dining online or did you need to call the concierge to do it for you?

At least for my recent cruise booking online seems broken.  I called the concierge desk during business hours and they were able to make the reservations in about 5m on the phone.