Greenpea2

2 hours ago, Pwrmaster7 said:

Hi all! If I were to buy drinks at say happy hour would I still have access to 15 included drinks with the UBP? At sea days I could see myself easily reaching the 15 (depending on the strength of their pours. all inclusives are my previous experience and those go down almost too easily). Not saying this will be needed but would like to know just in case. Also any  tips for a newbie in regards to the UBP (or anything else for that matter)? Cannot wait april 13th on the epic. Thanks all!

I believe it is MSC that has the 15 drinks per day limit. You will be good to go on NCL.

Agree with RedRover. Sid, your reviews generate mega 1000s of posts! Of course someone has seen them and taken note.

3 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

Dun Dun Dun.... The plot thickens... In this case, I was invited by the Hotel Director, Jovo, who is basically the most powerful guy on the ship, other than the Captain... He recognized me from past sailings, as well as hosting the CC M&G's on the Escape four different times. I didn't ask to be invited, and this was completely initiated by him...

Sid, you da MAN. And NCL is smart enough to appreciates that. That’s why you were invited. 😉 

10 hours ago, tumblew467 said:

I do understand that I saw the room plans, but was just wondering how windy it is there and  it may look like a better configuration for the 2nd bedroom in the means of space.than the  2 bedroom  ... thanks 

 

I was wondering the same thing in terms of the second bedroom. What I did was to Google "NCL Bliss Haven Deluxe Owners Suite" and "NCL Bliss 2 bedroom Haven courtyard suite". A bunch of uTube videos came up with tours of each. That's the best way to get an idea. The set-up in the 2 bedroom courtyard suite seems a bit bigger because it is wider. The one in the DOS looks like probably the same or similar square feet, but it is narrower. But check it out and that should help. I can't answer the windiness on the balcony but I get the feeling it would be. 

It isn't from Springfield, NJ but maybe Bedminster is farther away. 

Would it be that much more expensive to just drive there and split the parking fee at the terminal between the four people? If its for a week that would be about $75 each. Doesn't seem bad for a RT ride to NY with parking. Parking there is very convenient. And it's very smooth on debarkation day, not trying to figure out when/where exactly to meet your Uber or cab. We have done both and prefer parking there. Just a thought.

1 hour ago, rockfsh said:

 

We have 4 persons in a 2 BR suite (DW, DD and her BF). Already paid about 12K. Received an offer to bid for an upgrade to the DOS for a range of 1-2K PP (total 2-4K for the first 2 only). I bid.
I'll let you know  if I win and how the DOS compares to the 2 BR.

Thanks! Is that for a week's cruise? Hope you get it!!

9 hours ago, linbobky said:

have you ever stayed in a haven room?

Yes I have, on the Gem and the Epic. And I am booked in one for next year. 

33 minutes ago, tomservo said:

 

Yeah I was wondering what people thought about that too. A lot of Haven guests want the Haven to be exclusive to the Haven guests (and I don’t blame them), yet NCL is inviting non-Haven guests to the the restaurant. 

I wouldn't bother me. I don't think it's done very often. What's 2 more people having dinner in the restaurant one night? It's not ever full, from all reports. It's not like they are taking up lounge chairs or space in the pool. I think it's a nice thing to do for a special customer once in awhile.

4 minutes ago, tomservo said:

 

I meant NCL themselves officially inviting non-Haven passengers to have a complimentary dinner in the Haven restaurant. See the invitation below that sid_9169 got on his recent Bliss trip from the hotel director. 

That's correct. No Concierge would get in the way of this.

1 minute ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Bliss only has 2 DOS and they are usually booked far in advance. It's rare to get an offer to bid on one. If one is available for your cruise, see how much more NCL would want for it if you upgrade straight up (no bid).

Thanks, Two Wheels Only. I don't want it enough to pay big bucks. Was just wondering what the allure is about it. I think the 2 BR will be wonderful. I used to fantasize about the DOS on the Gem, with it's own hot tub on the big ole deck/balcony. Since Bliss doesn't have that, I can't say I care as much!

Thanks so much for your input! I have been in the 2-BR Haven suite on the Gem, and I agree with you-- it is wonderful. Can't beat that bathroom! I guess I was just wondering in what (if any) ways the DOS is "better." I have the Bliss 2 BR booked for next year and so the DOS would be the only thing I might be offered a bid on. Not that I would bid much -- but still, I was wondering if/why if I should, even if my low bid chances are next to none!

Question for anyone who has stayed in both the Bliss DOS and the 2-bedroom Haven Courtyard suite: Besides the huge balcony and 3 bottles of booze,  do you think the DOS was that much nicer/better (keeping in mind the MUCH higher price)? What are the pros and cons between them?

Yes, I know that. I was replying to the comment on Barbados not being on a 10 day cruise.

44 minutes ago, IrieBajan54 said:

I do not think a 10 day from NYC can include Barbados.

There is a 12-day Gem cruise that goes to Barbados. No 10-day that I have found.

7 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

The time has come once again for my traditional official "Thank You" list, for each and every one of you readers who commented, and followed along these past couple of weeks... I would also like to personally thank all of the "lurkers", however, if you don't comment, then I can't actually thank you by username. I would also like to thank the crew of the NCL Breakaway for going above and beyond in making all of our journey there and back again enjoyable, delicious, and safe... A few of the standouts being, Nenad the assistant hotel director... Edgar, the bartender in Vibe... Ana, my great and friendly room stewardess... And all the others behind the scenes, who made it all happen...

 

Without further adieu, the thank you list for this awesome adventure is as follows: (*Listed in order of first appearance) MzShae, OceanBlueWaters, pbxtech, Beachiekeen, itseaya, SenatorsFan, blarko, CruisinMama2003, firsttimecruiseronncl, purpleally, TravelGirlinDallas, kackles, All-ready2cruise, zencruisers, graphic guy, deedle7544, pebbles1102, dcipjr, cruiseratheart_09, jbhcw, Tminish, BeachyBoo, singinalot, BigNance, adam3313, Cafedumonde, Stlcardsfan79, bontx33, Just Jo, Outerdog, Luvmypups, CelticMCO, JinxyB, Slowingdog, kpark895, pinklucky, Windsorontario, Von & John, debenson0723, jimbri, taraavo, nursey0000, ktmush2, Greenpea2, WaywardBlue, ev98, ellenw, Wellou2, RedwingHockeyFan, Bajan Keith, prekcruiser, gmbhardy, Suna, cruisecrazypat, pixiedust777, Nator72, Hogladyrider, wtwien, jojoshumate, angieSFO, bina, Milly1966, latitude918, Amy JA, BlueHonu, 30palms, M&JfromSDL, James_Elmore, LincolnLegend, twonuff2, tanyawa, larry_s_taco, Nclgetawaymenhoney, MrFunInTheSun, PTC Dawg, DeanDeeDee, cml4958, amelia3171, TDHNJ, retiring soon, EganFire, Lupush, newdestination, HowardK, KsKelley40, surfone, feejul, hazelnut68, jojo27, VAcruisers123, 2bthere, gotscrapz, CruiserCindy, maulers2000, heather0773, zabnee, GrammyLove, HeyJut, PJDH4, and eileeshb.........

*Heart*

4 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

Well, it's safe to say that this has been quite a journey these past couple of weeks for us all... We conquered an entirely new embarkation port, along with all the unique food and beverages that New Orleans had to offer.

 

A new ship (well, new to me anyway) and all the food and beverages she had on board. I finally had some success in Jamaica, which I had pretty much written off as a port of call...

 

I would like to thank you all for your participation and comments along the way. Without you readers, I would have no purpose in even attempting to put this all together. I have no idea where I'll be heading to next, but hopefully you will all be there when it happens. I have a lot of things to get straightened out in my life right now, and hoping that it all works out for the best...

 

I figured that by this point in my life that I would have it all going in the right direction. But, that's how things turn out when you live by the seat of your pants like I tend to do. Until then, I want to thank you all again for being a part of this. Hopefully I will be able to do something this epic and share it all with you fine people sooner than later... I can't express enough how much it means to me to have you all along for the ride.........

I have loved reading and seeing your adventures. Listen, I'm probably 20 years older than you are and only sometimes live by the seat of my pants--and I have yet to feel like I am FINALLY going in the right direction! So don't fret--that is life. Just keep on enjoying and exploring it and you will be where you are supposed to be. XO

3 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

It's back to seven day cruises for me... I know this sounds like blasphemy, but by the eighth or ninth day, I was pretty much ready to go home. May have had something to do with the demographic of the other passengers. (Not that I have anything against senior citizens)

Sid, I agree that solo cruises are more enjoyable for 7 days. I have done both solo and with my husband. With a cruise buddy, I prefer 10 days, but that's mostly because I sail out of NY in the winter!

I've only been on 3 cruise lines but every one of them had weak coffee. I like strong, robust coffee, but when I'm on a cruise I just grimace and bear it enough to get my morning fix. Or I get a cappuccino with an extra shot at their "pay" coffee bar. 🙂

On 2/15/2019 at 11:03 AM, browniegirl said:

I haven't sailed on the Gem before.... is there a vibe on the Gem?

 

No, not on the Gem I don't believe.

On 2/10/2019 at 8:19 PM, cincicruisers said:

We are going on the Bliss.  From what I understand we enter the ship on deck 7 and quickly need to go to The Social on deck 6.  Is that right?  I have a walker and will take extra time for the elevator.  My husband is going to walk briskly to get there.  Do you think they will give him 2 passes or will we have to wait until I get there.

Yes, you will both need to be there.

1 hour ago, DMH15 said:

Great story!  Glad it ended well.  You only had to endure him for 2 days!

 

Every other butler and Concierge we had since have been wonderful.   They have different personalities and styles but each made us feel awesome.  I was so happy to see them take such great care of my mom.  We had a lot of great cruises together until I lost her in 2017.  

I'm so sorry you lost her. I miss my mom every day. Great memories are what it is all about.

1 minute ago, DMH15 said:

My first butler was pretty bad.   And then he got off in one of our ports and didn't get back on.  

Wow! The first one I had, I was in the OS of the Dawn. Had never had a suite before but had booked an aft-facing PH suite (no Haven then). Upgrade Fairy called me and I got the OS for an excellent price. WAS SO EXCITED. The butler came in on embarkation day and ordered us to sit down, whereupon he told us what a butler did. He was kind of snotty and superior. He then made it clear he was (again, being very full of himself) "in charge of the Garden Villa" so he might be "pretty busy." Um, OK. Then he said he was leaving the ship in 2 days for (again, all puffed up in importance to go on the "new ship.") We saw him once those 2 days, he never returned our calls. He did nothing for us and believe me when I say we asked very little as the whole butler thing was so foreign to us. After he left we were assigned this absolutely wonderful young woman who spoiled us ROTTEN. Wow. What a difference!

British people use that word, I believe! I like it--it's very kind of gallant (lol, now who uses THAT word!).

If the butler says "Not my job, go ask the steward" he/she probably is not at one of the top tiers of butlerhood! A really good butler will just go to the steward and request they take care of it for you. Not all butlers are great. I've only had one that was pretty much useless, and we have never needed much. We are pretty self-sufficient.