micha200

4 hours ago, aubreyc1988 said:

Next time we go in the Haven, it will be hopefully in the Forward Facing or Aft Facing Suite. I didn't think the attitude would bother me, but it sort of did.  Next time we sail with NCL, if it's not in the Haven, definitely will try for Vibe Passes. I've heard they even pass out cold wash clothes and stuff there, and I didn't ever see that in the Haven. I am curious what the suite life is like on Celebrity tho. 

l have long wanted to try the Haven but actually found a good deal for a solo in The Retreat so I’m doing that later this month. It will be my first non-NCL cruise. I like that Celebrity gives you a significant amount of your money back as obc ( in my case $600) plus price includes premium bev, internet, and tips. Last NCL cruise in December I had the Vibe pass and loved having it. They do pass out fruit skewers but I don’t think I got a cold cloth. Very attentive bar staff.
 

I still hope to try the Haven someday. Thanks for your report.

8 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Never heard anything about Kinky Boots.  Never saw it advertised by NCL for this cruise.  
 

Choir of Man is their main Broadway show on our sailing!  Really looking forward to it because it is very good.

I was on Encore last week. We booked both shows. Kinky Boots went on (it was very good) but Choir of Man was cancelled later in the week. They mentioned something about personnel issues.

Hi Aubrey,

Thanks for your report. I'm enjoying following along. I'm curious - are people wearing masks - a smattering, most, none -- while on the ship? I know they're not required except in port but I am curious to know if you see people wearing them on the ship while at sea.

Glad you're having a good time!

There are no food stations on deck. The buffet is the closest (the American Diner is one floor up but it's a la carte pricing.) The Observation lounge is one floor down from the buffet and pool, and it serves a light breakfast, lunch and has tea time snacks. 

You don't have to make reservations for Manhattan, but it's advised if you have a large party. Savor, Manhattan and Taste serve the same menus. I didn't notice a dress code difference between them, but I've read that there is one so it must be slight. I  ate at each one without thinking about dress and had no issues. I was very casual in jeans, sneakers, T-shirts and yoga pants. 

And yes, lunch is available in the dining room but I think only until 1:30 or 2 p.m. I ate in Savor on embarkation day. 

OP, I sailed on the Joy on May 11-18, and overall, I had a good time. It's true -- service is slow (one dinner clocked in at 2.5 hours in the MDR), and food sometimes came out cold. I didn't have problems getting drinks, for the most part (I had the package). I'd  just avoid the atrium bar, which is usually crowded during activity times. (I found the Sugarcane to also be slow). The bars at Maltings, District Brewhouse and The Local were much better. 

I didn't book anything pre-cruise (including excursions) and was able to get into everything I wanted to see or do. "Elements" was amazing. "Footloose" was OK. I skipped the specialities this cruise but I had several meals at The Local that I enjoyed.

The late-night parties were a lot of fun, as were the game shows in the atrium. Dan Dan (the cruise director) and Jody (his assistant) were very present on the ship. The staff was very friendly.

I just sailed on the Bliss as a solo. It was a two week cruise. The host printed out schedules for each of the weeks and planned times for the group to go to laser tag,  race cars and other activities. After signing in with our room numbers the first day, he automatically booked us into Jersey Boys and Havana as a group. Every night there was a group dinner planned in one of the dining rooms. I went some nights and skipped others.

I was not in a solo cabin. Every night at 5 p.m. the lounge door was unlocked so everyone could have access during the meeting time. This was a time just to mingle and a bartender circulated for drink orders. Dinner was usually set for 5:30 p.m.

I enjoyed reading about your trip. While you were there, I was doing my first solo on the NCL Bliss. It was fabulous. I ended up hanging out with other fellow solo travelers since it was so easy to meet them (there was a solo coordinator who arranged group dinners and activities for those inclined to join). I think I'm addicted to cruises now since I haven't been able to think about anything but my next one since I got home. I think I'm doing Alaska again next year but want to do another one somewhere else too.

Thanks for sharing.