2 Fun Guys

Sorry... off topic but O'Sheehan's adjacent... O'Sheehan's (Breakaway version) still has breakfast right? The updated menu on NCL.com only shows lunch/dinner.

39 days to Breakaway - Western Caribbean 410 days to Viva - Southern Caribbean

For what it's worth, there is Pickleball on Prima & (planned) Viva.

Ok! Do you (or anyone reading this) have a current map of Harvest Caye? I can only find one that has the old restaurant on it, etc.

The excursion we booked at Harvest Caye was cancelled. So, for a variety of reasons we've narrowed our next choice down to Placencia Lagoon Wildlife & Mangrove & Glass Bottom Reef Explorer . Anyone have any experience with either? Recommendations between the 2? Thanks!

Just read this: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BEETLEJUICE-to-Play-Norweigian-VIVA-Cruise-in-2023-20221217 Saw it on Broadway. A crowd pleaser. Not my favorite, personally. But, hey, after a few mai tais, maybe I'll sing "Day-o" with the cast! 😉

108 days - Breakaway Western Caribbean - NOLA R/T 479 days - Viva Eastern/Southern Caribbean - San Juan, PR R/T

I would LOVE a mac and cheese entree. Nothing fancy, plain old homemade mac and cheese!

Relatively new to cruising... but we definitely have the bug! Pride of America Encore Breakaway Upcoming: March 23 : Breakaway; March 24: Viva; March 25: either POA or Prima Want to sail on Bliss, Joy and Escape...

No magnets on Breakaway, NCL towels, models and more water bottles with the NCL logo on them. The only thing they had that actually said Breakaway on it was the model. I hope the magnets come back. I know we were not the only ones looking for them last trip.

And they all post here.

121 days to Breakaway Western Caribbean! 492 days to Viva Eastern/Southern Caribbean!

This. Exactly. In fact, especially on the Breakaway, it was like being in church or a library!

Isn't it amazing how many consumers continue to give companies that they know are lying to them thousands of dollars anyway? How do these consumers sleep at night?

It isn't even a question of reading the small print. It is right there when you select which of the 4 FAS items you choose when you are making your reservation: If you unclick those, the gratuities disappear, then you can buy your meals & drinks if you choose to, understanding that you will automatically be charged a gratuity on each purchase. The only place in the "big print" that says unlimited is the open bar, nowhere is it implied that you'd get unlimited specialty dining. The fare itself does not change when you unclick those things. Not getting the FAS means you don't get charged anything in advance and everything is a la carte. Click them and pay only gratuity. So actually, the drinks and the 2 meals are free, and your fare is not more expensive because you are getting FAS. As far as other lines not charging tax when in certain ports, either they add one big charge at the end (big is a relative term... it's not that much) or they are defrauding the local municipality by not collecting that money. Of course, they may just roll it into your fare, thus charging you for something you may not have done. I'm no lawyer, but that all reeks of criminality. Every NCL cruise I've been on has had clear signs about in port gratuities. YMMV on this. All of that said, I do think it's ridiculous that NCL charges $80/pp to pick your own cabin ("Sail Away" vs standard rate). It is also ridiculous to not know what you are agreeing to before you click that "reserve" button and make your deposit. Sure, NCL could be clearer in their advertising. What company couldn't? I mean when was the last time you bought a Big Mac that ever looked like it does in the ads?

We are going in March too! Which week?

The in port taxes on things are not a uniquely NCL thing by the way. And all cruise lines "nickle and dime" you one way or another. As stated above, you prepay gratuities, etc. and anything extra is up to you. They don't hide charges.

Having been in the Social and Syd Norman's/The Cavern Club on both the Encore and Breakaway, I'm wondering how good people's memories are. If any of those venues hold 100 people, I'd be shocked, and if by some chance it is over 100, it isn't by much. And those ships hold 1000 more passengers each. I don't recall this much complaining about them on threads pertaining to those ships. Same thing with these arguments over the menu. People love the never-changing menu at the Haven, but it's an "epic fail" in the MDR? Please... No ship will be everything to all people. No such thing. But the vitriol aimed at this ship is crazy - especially since almost no one has even been on it yet.

Love this comprehensive review, Bird! Of course, I haven't been there in person, but Syd Norman's looks downright spacious compared to Syd's on the Breakaway. Prima is a smaller ship - perhaps it is proportional?

"Vela" means "see her." It's also a Southern constellation that means "Sails of a ship." (Latin) In either case, very apt for a cruise ship, I think!

Those are some great food photos! Seriously, you could make bank on a cook book or foodie magazine! But I have to say as far as the Haven goes, save for the glass plates, both breakfasts look like just what I get at the buffet, albeit more neatly piled than I do. And nothing says "fine dining" like a scoop of mashed potatoes...

Interesting. I found this: Celebrity Transatlantic from Rome 16 days Nov. 6 2022: 2 ppl, Balcony, drinks, wifi, gratuities, regular dining only, taxes & fees: $4,987.72 (If you book this weekend, $150 OBC per cabin) NCL Transatlantic from Rome 16 days Nov. 1 2022: 2 ppl, Balcony, drinks, wifi, gratuities, specialty dining, excursion credit per port (9 ports), taxes & fees: $4,405.26

Are you sure they weren't talking about CruiseNext? That's exactly what happens when they have that promotion. 2 for 1 deposits means 2 passengers can book with a 1 passenger deposit. So, If it is normally $250 per person (or $500 for 2), that means you only pay $250 total for 2 people - 2 for the price of 1. Of course, no matter how much you deposit, the whole amount is still due before you cruise.

We are booked out of San Juan in March 24 - regular balcony on Deck 11. SO EXCITED! Been devouring Prima content!

Sorry to hijack this thread, but it is related. One in our party doesn't like seafood, but we don't want to leave him out. Are the non-seafood options (steak & brick chicken) any good? Any insight would be appreciated!