hallux

3 minutes ago, Daruma said:

 

Ok... repeat after me...

 

Seafood, ALL seafood including Shrimp, sucks beyond all measurable levels of sucktasticness...

😅🤣😂

Then don't look in MY freezer..

On 1/7/2024 at 8:30 PM, MeHeartCruising said:

is a recent sales/marketing gimmick that NCL introduced in 2023.

Still better than what Celebrity is doing...

It seems NCL is now removing cruises after check-in happens.  I just did my check-in for a cruise this past weekend and that cruise is no longer listed either.  I think the same happened 2 weeks ago for the cruise prior to mine on the same ship.

2 hours ago, julig22 said:

Since I have little or no need for WiFi on day 1

Yup, much of day 1 is spent in port where you have cellular coverage on the outside decks.  For the <6 hours you'd make use of it on embarkation day it's just not worth the $20 to get it that day.

20 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

deck 19 was crowded and invaded by children.  Hopefully that was due to the holiday pax load and not what you will experience

I don't anticipate THAT will be a problem when I board in less than 3 weeks - it's a 2 week cruise...

4 hours ago, bonvoyagie said:

In the past Wave Season was a real thing - however since the shutdown I have only seen the same two "sales" from NCL either 35% or 50% off rack rates

"wave season would apply to the prices of only certain cruises, not a sale on all cruises.  The "rack rates" for the wave season cruises would be changing in an effort to get the ships filled for those particular sailings.

@julig22 and @mistertomatoe are right - don't use the package at all on day 1 and get a lower price on day 2.  I'm trying to figure out my purchase timing on my upcoming 15 day cruise...

5 hours ago, carb said:

I thought Bliss has a retractable roof over its pools?

if any pool does it's the one in The Haven.  Otherwise, no, all open-air...

2 hours ago, cruiser2015 said:

What's your opinion on using cabin tap water vs. buffet dispensers?

My last few cruises I pretty much lived on the tap water from my cabin.  Zero issues.

52 minutes ago, ladysoleil said:

but I think it has to be empty when you board

It only needs to be empty when going through security.  Yes, at ports that is when you board, but at embarkation that is prior to the check-in desk.  Once in the terminal you can fill it and bring it on full...

49 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Trying to wrap that one around my head. Social Media.... FB, Instagram all use the internet to access, so I'm a little confused about you can use social media yet not use email or the "internet"

From someone that works in IT - there are ways...

7 minutes ago, Denverbri69 said:

I was planning on wearing some upscale athleisure wear &/or Eddie Bauer thermal shirts, which sounds ok to do

MAYBE, except for the two referenced specialty venues.  That sounds like a similar shirt to the one I was referencing someone posting about elsewhere.  That post seems to have been removed so I can't link to it.

Ships have statutory requirements for inspections.  Generally, every 5 years they go into dry dock for required inspections. @chengkp75 can enlighten the group on the details, or go find one of his previous posts where he explained it (he's done so MANY times).

It's during that time where they often will refresh things or make venue changes, but the timing is not set by a need to re-do parts of the public spaces.

35 minutes ago, lele100 said:

Carnival offers a social media only Wi-Fi so you can only use social media no email no Internet

NCL used to have that, now it's all or nothing on the paid plans (ok, there's an 'all' plan without streaming and a higher priced one with streaming) and the free plans have always been the 'all' plan without streaming.

No, the Wifi only works for browsing the web.  /s (end sarcasm for those not familiar)

Of course you can view and send emails!!

2 hours ago, herbanrenewal said:

If you are traveling solo, you can still bring a guest. I usually find another platinum member at solo meetings and I go as their guest and they go as mine - then you have 4 specialty dinners.

Combine that with FAS and you can eat at a specialty almost every night on a 7-night cruise!!

2 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

Nope.  I have always worn tshirt and jeans and never had even a slight issue.

and yet there was a post last week on Reddit about someone not conforming to the dress code and not being allowed seating at one of the more restrictive restaurants (they were wearing slacks and a long-sleeve t-shirt with a bit of a high collar, almost a mock-turtleneck).  It seems it's not applied equally, and I'm not about to take a chance.

16 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

Edited:  bad link.

I got your back - https://www.ncl.com/au/en/cruise-faq/can-i-bring-water-or-soda-board

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/what-clothes-should-i-pack

I believe Ocean Blue is one of the specialty venues (Le Bistro being the other) that requests men to wear slacks and a collared shirt.  Otherwise it's casual attire all around.

17 minutes ago, azappraiser said:

Samsung Galaxy users will be pleased to know the Galaxy Smart Tag 2 is Samsung's answer to the Air Tag and work just as well... cost less too!  They're available through several retailers.

The only benefit to using a Samsung in the Android world compared to a Pixel.  If I could get a tracker that works with my Pixel I might consider one.

MDR - I have a couple.  Shrimp and cheesy grits were pretty good.  The breaded flounder is fantastic. I'll have to try the Monte Cristo in a few weeks, if I remember.

Specialty - my go-to is Le Bistro.  French onion soup with dover sole.

and the color only matters if there are multiple NCL ships boarding at the same time through adjacent terminals, which doesn't happen often.

I've sailed in a Studio twice, in 4 cruises on NCL.  One time that I didn't was because the ship doesn't even have Studio cabins (Joy).  The other time was that when all other costs were considered the balcony was only about $60 more than a Studio so of course I was going to take the balcony!

For my next cruise a regular inside cabin was several hundred cheaper than the Studio, there was no solo supplement.  When I talked to my PCC to book she asked if I really wanted an inside instead of the Studio, when I suggested she look at the price she realized why I made that request and booked it.  Plus, for as much as I do like the Studio, for a 15 day cruise I think I'd like the extra space a regular inside offers, even if it is only 30% larger.

LOTS of people discussing using them.  Just a word of caution - the Airtag will require connecting to an iOS device WITH INTERNET ACCESS in order to report location to your phone WITH INTERNET ACCESS to show the current location.  Also note that GPS may be difficult to receive within the ship so the location may be reported as a land station (possibly even Miami since the ship's internet may be flagged to the home office).

6 hours ago, zackarykeef said:

I was just stating my experience, and that up until this thread, I have never even heard of 3 vs 4 courses. Do you have an example?

There has been MUCH discussion in the past regarding the Platinum voucher vs. the FAS meals and how some servers use a blanket restriction of one app, one entree, one dessert for both free meals when previously only the Platinum coupon had this restriction.  FAS in the past has allowed one app, one soup/salad, one entree and one dessert.