Dr. Cocktail

I just posted for someone else that Explora had a discount offer for MSC/Status Match passengers but that's now over. As of yet, Explora does not have a loyalty program but my guess is that they will NOT be status matching other cruise lines .... At present, the price you see is the price you pay minus any agency discounts or obc promotions with some of the travel consortiums.

Explora had a discount offer for MSC/Status Match passengers but that's now over. At present, the price you see is the price you pay minus any agency discounts or obc promotions with some of the travel consortiums.

Most importantly, thank you SO MUCH for taking time out of (seriously) precious vacation time to post and keep us entertained! In all seriousness, I have been telling my partner for YEARS that cabin/suite design won't change until cruise line executives are forced to spend 72 hours in a cabin mock-up with their spouses/partners/girlfriend/boyfriends with NO ability to bring in or change what has been provided. No going home to have a quick change or shower! Let's see how long it would take for changes to occur ....

They're ballgames of a different colour! Obviously, Regent is a far more sophisticated experience with a generally intersting and highly educated but older crowd. Of course, we've also met VERY nice people in our Haven sailings but a different vibe - generally younger and still working. My last Haven was 5 years ago so I can't do an immediate comparison but I'm returning soon! I liked the informal dress code on Regent - I've been reading about passengers showing up for dinner in the Haven Resto in flip flops, athletic shorts and shirts and that's really not my speed and it kinda' bugs me. As I said in my review, I really like the choices that NCL offers but the tradeoff is a lot more kids, noise and general craziness. But - I can ALWAYS get a spot in the shade or the sun in The Haven without resulting in strategies more appropriate for a military campaign! Now your liking the Haven and Viking is fasinating .... I found Viking to be like a morturary but with worse entertainment. The vibe on Regent is MUCH more convivial with many more great bars and lounges. I highly encourage you to try Regent and decide for yourself !

Journey? No - Explora 1!

To clarify, there won't be earlier times available as the ship will only likely arrive in NYC at 2! There's a very good chance that if you arrive at the pier earlier than your assigned time, you won't be allowed into the building. Calling NCL will assuredly get you an answer - whether it's accurate or not is another story. If they take you right away to the pier, use a service like https://usebounce.com/ , enter Manhattan Cruise Terminal for location and store your bags for the day. If they're going to make you wait at the airport for hours, I would just use a car service like Carmel, take a taxi or an Uber to the closest luggage storage place and enjoy your day in NYC! The only advantage to boarding early is to get a spot at the Comedy Show .... and to get in some additional predeparture cocktails - all with New York City and State tax added!

OK, I think that *cough, cough* (not Covid related....) you were right. It DOES look better with the all blue hull!

I watched a webinar last week and…. I can’t remember who the first chef was…🤦‍♂️! He was from the Mediterranean and the price quoted was 199 Euro - per person! She may have gotten it wrong - dunno. The second chef I remembered! https://www.chefs4impact.org/post/meet-emma-bengtsson

For clarification, smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas ... Smoking will be only allowed in the following outside areas onboard: Deck 5: Starboard Side on the outdoor Crema Café Promenade Deck 11: Forward, Port Side, outdoor area of Explora Lounge Deck 12: Forward, Port Side, Cigar section of Helios Bar Deck 14: Aft, Starboard Side, section of Sky Bar on 14

OK, I don’t want to appear like I’m stalking you but I have experience in this! I have sailed in the Haven 8 times and four times in the YC. I have actually sailed in a Forward Facing Penthouse and I recently returned from my first cruise on Regent. Your question is …. Difficult. I’m 60 and my partner is a few years younger and we REALLY prefer the Haven to the YC for a few reasons. Both have excellent service and the YC has a pool bar and buffet - sadly missing in the Breakaway/Breakaway + ships. I love not signing for drinks in the YC and I also enjoy proper (albeit plastic!) glasses poolside, not the disposable garbage on NCL. But … the deal breakers for us are the complete lack of shade in the YC compared with the umbrellas and complimentary mini cabanas on NCL. While the Haven Restaurant menu NEVER changes, the actual quality of the raw ingredients is far superior to that of MSC. The bartenders in The Haven are the best - all sorts of interesting concoctions, infusions, smokey things and generally cool stuff! NCL also throws in a couple of meals via their Free-at-Sea program. The NCL entertainment has also been far superior with their big production shows but that all seems to be changing with the recent cutbacks. That’s another thing - my thoughts are based on the “pre” times - I haven’t been on either in over 4 years. Regent was excellent but inconsistent - I posted a long review a few weeks ago… Explora is an unproven entity but I think that they’re doing everything right thus far. The ships initially will likely be not anywhere near capacity - no worries about crowds! It’s going to be a far more sophisticated experience than NCL and introductory pricing offers may disappear in the future. If it’s only the two of you, I would choose Explora but …. I have three cruises booked on Explora and 3 in the Haven - go figure!

Bring on the olive oil, wine and chi-chi, foo-foo items! https://explorajourneys.com/ca/en/life-on-explora/shopping-experiences/the-journey

In writing, no less ..... ! Journey Experience Credits can only be used onboard (credited to guest onboard account) on shipboard expenses and Destination Experiences; and will be offered in Euro currency. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

It’s 100% obc! And that’s usually per person….

Answering the OP's original question .... let's see what happens in 9 months. We can hypothesize about as much as we want about what the crew are or are not feeling but it will all come down to when and if they renew their contracts. If the rest of the industry is basically offering the same, nothing will change. But ... if RCI or Carnival (and I include all of their subsidiaries) are offering better terms, they won't return. Crew do not live in a vacuum ... they can see on social media or directly hear about what their friends or families are making. If NCL can't retain or hire crew, they won't have a choice but to change. Explora Journeys is all over crew social media for how they're paying more than anyone else. Why wouldn't you join them? I'm only using them as an example. ... they're only going to be a two ship operation for the next few years. But ...extrapolate to ANY cruise line needing staff. To answer the question: ask it again in 9 months as all of the current crew's contracts are up and it's time for the next one. Ultimately, who's paying the most with the best terms wins and work down from there.

You know why I love Cruise Critic? Only here could we have an intense and passionate debate about something that the rest of the world could care less about!

Now, I usually FULLY respect your opinions, but: blue funnel vs yellow and black Red inboard lifeboats vs yellow outboard blue hull with white forward slash vs white hull with blue slash I am respectfully going to disagree…. I don’t think that they look alike at all! I’m not sure what “luxury” is supposed to look like - Regent, Silversea and Seabourn’s white are blah…

one more….

Great minds think alike - I looked at my pix of Zenith and Century! I like the white bow because of the image/suggestion of motion.....

VERY handsome! The newly designed livery totally works!

Thanks ... we did exactly that on Regent and emerged unscathed! I've never climbed more stairs in my life! We will mask up in the theater, the comedy club and whenever we get on/off/in a taxi ... Totally agree on muster drill and I think that the cruise terminal in NYC will also assist in viral mixology!

Just off Regent and the coughs increased daily, as above! We plan on masking up for muster, the big shows and crowded clubs. Did you encounter any nastiness towards your wearing a mask? Thanks!

Thanks for the pix!

I wasn't judging, I was just stating my opinion, just as you were. And your snide tone isn't particularly appreciated. And .... I'm outta here. I'm just too tired for nasty ...

Just like you're doing with me?

Even in Toronto, it's really no big deal to get a stack of US dollar bills from our local bank. We are always in the Haven and give a couple of dollars each time we see a new server during a (made-up!) shift. Meaning ... I'll tip for the first drink but not necessarily the second but will reset in the afternoon and after dinner. Crazy? Absolutely but it works for me. And yes ... as the staff get to know that you do tip, you will get better service. I used to tip at the end with my favourite servers but I didn't always see them on the last day and I realized I was missing lovely people who served me only once or twice. The argument that the service charge is already included doesn't really work for me as we really don't know how much NCL is actually giving them. But most importantly? These hard working individuals have to live on a ship away from their families for many months at a time. They don't do it because they necessarily love handing you your mudslide - they do it to survive and support their families. An extra few dollars a day may not mean a lot to me but it means tons to them. You just have to imagine how you would want your son or daughter or nephew treated if they were in that situation - put yourself in their shoes.