RunBikeCruiseDC

7 minutes ago, pamps2801 said:

True, and let's not forget that the $20 bottle you'd buy at the liquor store, if they had the same bottle on board the ship, would cost $60 - $70, if not more. Looking at this, bringing that $20 bottle of wine on board ,is a good deal, even if at the end it costs you $35.

The trick is that it must be something they do not have onboard, correct?

6 hours ago, vinotinto said:

And here is the pic of the included wines in the Premium package and the cost to upgrade to the Premium Plus wines if you have the regular Premium package:

 

Wow - seems like some of the wines on the "premium plus" list used to be part of the regular drink package.  I tend to drink tempranillo or the East & West Red blend with dinner.  But the $2 and $4 upcharge would still be cheaper for us since iit's only 1 or 2 glasses with dinner vs. cocktails pre/post dining.

1 hour ago, styles27 said:

A little more room in the club balcony, better bathroom and some perks like sparkling wine in the room, bathrobes, special treats delivered…ie choc covered strawberries and a complimentary laundry service   Looks like the seating area can be curtained off from the bed area for more privacy. 
 

Last time we were in a mini-suite (now called club balcony), we did not get the bathrobes and slippers but found them in our room after we asked.  The bathroom is larger and has the "car wash" shower. 

Watching the Gem sail away on the port cam!!

I've been watching the port webcam and only saw the Gem!  It wasn't panning the entire dock like before so I couldn't tell.  Now it's zoomed in on people getting back on a ship, can't tell which one.

On 4/6/2022 at 9:33 AM, libbyj said:

KTmd435, We bid just over the minimum for a 2 bedroom family suite, and the haven (what the heck!). But looks like those are all sold out now, so I'm not expecting an upgrade. Sure would be nice tho, if they'd let us know already!

 

Yay!  We did the same just because they were available.  Fingers crossed we get Haven on 4/26 sailing on the Joy!  Our favorite would be a Aft Haven so we bid a lot but still in the "poor" section of the bid...

Indian food on the buffet for certain.  I believe they have had Indian flavors at Ocean Blue in the past?

On 3/18/2022 at 10:24 AM, MrDannyOcean said:

It seems like a relatively minor case, and according to the CDC guidelines I should only be contagious for about ~10 days.  My worry is that I might still be testing positive a month from now - I've read that some people continue to test positive for months after they get it.  Any thoughts on the best path forward?

Ask your health department for travel letter after you're recovery.   Present the letter with proof of your positive covid test.  I know this works for flights, not sure if cruise lines are accepting this but it should be the same.

Wishing you all the best!  Thanks for posting about this - I was wondering if we should hold off until closer to day but just applied for my travel authorization for 4/26 sailing.  Need to get my husbands vaccine info so I can register him!

Chrisdar - can u keep. us posted ?  Where are you traveling?  We're going to Bermuda on NCL Joy on 4/26.  Still trying to figure this all out.  This is 2 days prior to BOARDING, correct?  Because the only way to do it on arrival is the morning that we board the ship and arrive in Bermuda 2 days later.  Was thinking about the timing for a PCR test, too.

Compare the Sailaway price with the "Free At Sea" price, you can always remove drinks/dining package (and the gratuities that go with them) on the Free At Sea.

Sure wish they had this studio cabins back in my single days, I would have done a lot more cruises when I was younger if that was the case!

On 3/27/2022 at 9:25 AM, GALSews said:

Reminds me of an early part of 2001: A Space Odessy where they are floating in the shuttle on the way to the moon. Very white and for the 1960s very modern. (Whoops I am giving a hint at my age.)

I'm also thinking "Sleepers" or some of the James Bond movies.  Maybe they will have an "O-matron"...

On 3/29/2022 at 2:13 PM, GeezerCouple said:

"How do you repair a small hole below the waterline in the hull of a megaship?"

 

Flex Seal 😁

GC

Duck Tape!

We are bidding to upgrade to the Haven.  It seems that most people don't know until 2 days before sailing so I doubt we will be able to communicate with the conceirge/butler prior?  My husband and I are low key so it's probably not such a big deal.  No matter what happens, we're going to have a great time relaxing - it's been over two years since we really got to get away and chill without the dogs!   I'm looking forward to sleeping in.

9 hours ago, kona_wahine said:

We are new to NCL, cruising on the Encore in May. It looks like there are 3 different dining rooms? Are you assigned a dining room or can you pick one to go to? We’ve only cruised Carnival and have always been assigned one. Our room is midship on deck 15. TIA

You can go to any of the main dining rooms.  On the Breakaway+ ships (including Encore), they have the Tropicana (or Manhattan room) at the aft of the ship.   Be sure to go there one night as they tend to have entertainment (usually from the shows), it's fabulous!

To add, yes - one side of the menu is the same everyday but the other side typically has unique offerings each day.  It's a good variety.  I know people that will order the same dish every day (the salmon that used to be on the menu daily is very tasty).

On 3/25/2022 at 10:38 AM, hallux said:

I booked my March 19 cruise (on board now) on March 6, I was able to use two for a balcony.

We booked last week for a cruise in April (4 weeks), was able to use two cruise next credits.  We have a bunch to use up so glad we could use 2!

7 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

1.  Book Canvas by U

 

Is this on every sailing now?  I've never done this on a ship, that sounds like a fun activity! 

First thing is the attempt to get passes for the Vibe Beach Club.  Then grab lunch at O'Sheehans/The Local before heading to the Vibe if we were lucky enough to get in.  Change any dinner reservations if needed.

Sad to hear this, Escape is our favorite ship.  We booked on the Joy just after this happened, that was a good decision on our part.

5 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

Hmm...now You have me thinking. I've never eaten at Le Bistro or Ocean Blue, simply because I'm not a seafood or French food person, but maybe we SHOULD try one of them! We love a good steak (hence Cagneys) so perhaps we will switch out of Q as it really is not getting good reviews. Lol

My husband loves the steak at Le Bistro!   We tend to do Cagneys, Le Bistro and Ocean Blue - I'm the seafood lover, my husband is the meat guy..

Also remember that the port of calls have restrictions that the cruise lines need to meet.   We just booked a Bermuda cruise.  Currently Bermuda is only allowing vaccinated adults(not sure if boosters required) so that may limit the numbers - children under 12 can be unvaccinated but they have to be tested.  I hope we get a lower occupancy experience on this next cruise.  Of course by the time we cruise in late April, things could change again.  Considering we have received a lot of options for upgrades, I think the ship will be low occupancy.

I only eat BBQ one or twice a year on land as it is, not something I would seek out on vacation.   But that's just me.  But I do love banana pudding so maybe I'll stop in to try it sometime.  We did do drinks and music one night at the bar.  I was so excited about the smoke peach margarita (?) but it was just meh, probably because it was out of the soda gun than made fresh by a bartender on the Bliss.

On 3/25/2022 at 6:34 PM, ronmar22 said:

We have choice of aft facing cabin but which deck is more convenient/desirable?  9 thru 14?

Lower decks have larger balconies.  We were up high once and it was too noisy due to being right under the Spice H2O, we were able to move to a lower deck (I think 10 or 11) and it was great - larger balcony and quite!  We prefer lower decks due to easier access to the Waterfront on deck 8 but if you are into the options on the upper level decks, higher may work for you.

Thanks.  I watched a walk thru, seems the Joy has glass enclosed smoking section in the casino.  maybe that's where the Noodle bar used to be?