St Louis Cardinals

Wait, just did some calculus. I wrote an equation using the standard deviation of the scheduled departure time, the mean average of wet precipitation days, and the statistical average of NCL on time departures. This produced a graph from which I was able to use a tangent line (from the calculated real departure of a 4PM sailing) to derive a calculated boarding time of 4:30PM…for a 9PM sail.

Does anybody know if I have it right?

What time can we board and eat!?….SG suite category. This later time is throwing me off.

We just returned from the Jewel to Alaska out of Seattle. Walk offs began at 7:15…and it was not crowded. Our flight was at 11:55 AM. We had a lot of time to kill at the airport…you will have no problem.

Invitations to an exclusive breakfast and lunch

 

is still on this page: http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/freestyle-accommodations/haven

 

But not on this page:

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/freestyle-accommodations/suites-and-penthouses

 

I'm pretty sure that we would have heard about it here on CC if the Cagney's perk had been eliminated.

We just sailed the Jewel 2 weeks in an Owners Suite. All Haven, OS, and Penthouses had access to the breakfast and lunch…now at Moderno on the Jewel. One look at the hot mess of humanity in the Garden Cafe…and we gave this perk a high rating.

Latest news. Concierge / Haven lounge on deck 15 is closed. According to virginia, they are putting at least one new DOS up there, like Pearl, Jade, Gem. Shame, it may take away much space for GV forward facing balcony. Apparently it was supposed to be worked on during drydock, but not much got done.

 

Robin

We are in the Haven this weekend and were looking forward to using this as a nice private observation deck…do I understand it is completely closed???

That's a good thing. Take the time to get to know her and all will be great.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

Thanks.

I can tell you Virginia is the current concierge but is leaving on the 31st replaced by Bruno.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

Virginia...is this a good thing? I'm on board next week.

That is a mighty fine sight! See you next week.

You might want to check this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2014261 - I asked a similar question and the responses were all over the place. For most of those that tip early, they see the advantage and continue to do it... some that did it, had a bad experience and no longer do it. And those that have never done it, see no value in it.

 

For me, I will leave an extra tip at the begining of the cruise when I share my modest expectations. Somehow, it makes me intrinsically feel better and puts me in a better place at the begining of my vacation.

Thanks. I read everything…and brushed off all the wrong opinions :D.

My NCL PCC told me all tips are covered automatically; "There is a $12/person per day charge on my cabin." Is that really a tip?…or is that their base pay and I am supposed to tip the steward and specialty restaurant servers on top of that? Then I learned the Concierge and Butler are not part of that 'pool'…that I need to tip them as well. Now I don't even understand the $12/person per day cabin charge...

Do you think I would get the best service if I tipped the Butler and Concierge a little bit every day…rather than waiting until the end of the cruise?? The sum of the small tips would equal what they would have received on the last day.

The only reason I came up with this cockamamie idea is because I thought just maybe some folks stiff these guys…maybe assuming they are part of the tip pool??

It must be on the ship; they offered it to us as a beverage in the OS…sailing next week.

$30. Got it, thanks!

Dodgers are the best team west of Busch Stadium!

I just saw on the NCL website that I can pre-buy dinner at Cagney's for $30.

What is the cost on board??

Here's what I have from the "pre-order" letter for the DOS for our cruise (there's also soda's on the list -- Pepsi products)

 

Beefeater Gin

Grant’s Blended Scotch Whiskey

Smirnoff Vodka

Jim Beam Bourbon

Seagram’s 7 Crown

Bacardi Superior Rum

Cazadores Blanco Tequila

Dry White Vermouth

Sweet Red Vermouth

Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry

Sandeman Reserve Port

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Kahlua

North & South By Norwegian, Sauvignon Blanc California

North & South By Norwegian, Merlot California

 

 

I've read that you can request different brands, and that there's an up-charge if you substitute -- haven't called yet, but am planning on asking for Tanqueray instead of Beefeater -- a T&T isn't the same with Beefeater

.

Wait till you hear the up charge! I scratch my head.

OK, found it....the complaint.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/ncl_cruise.htm

Go to the May 7, 2014 complaint from Patricia.

I've tried doing a search, as I truly believe that once I saw the answer ... but can't find info on what brands/types included in the liquor amenity for DOS (3 bottles) Thanks, Jan

I called the NCL Concierge Desk and pre-ordered everything for the cruise next week. They can tell you the brands...not top shelf...and the up charge for top shelf is a little over the top IMHO. I stuck with Smirnoff vodka, Seagrams 7, and I did upgrade to Bailey's for my wife.

I went to Amazon and ordered some Wine Skins...these are bottle bags shaped like alcohol and they close up tight so there will be no accident in the luggage.

Thanks! I just read a consumer complaint from a cruiser last month who claims NCL checked their bags at disembarkation to remove soaps/lotions/shampoos supplied in the suite. If that was true I got thinking they might not want me taking liquor…could be that the cruiser had above to pick…

Another comment from the complaint was that the Concierge was not allowed to make dinner reservations…apparently the cruiser showed up and was told that the Concierge was not allowed to make reservations…

Very odd reading.

Will NCL allow me to go home with 1 or 2 or 3 of the complimentary bottles of liquor?…or do they see this as consumption only on the cruise?

The only thing this thread was missing was a video!

I travel a lot. A couple of years ago I was at a Hilton in a major metro area. A co-worker received more than bed bug 100 bites (as reported by his physician). The Hilton denied the claim. I actually saw other claims about this hotel at bedbugregistry.com.

Anyway, my post is simply to warn everybody of this emerging threat. Due to all my travel, I have become our corporate bed bug 'freak'...but I am actually terrified of bringing them home. As per already stated, a cruise ship can most certainly have an infestation. Bed bugs like darkness and fabric. You can often find them in the seems/folds of bedding, furniture, and drapes. However, they will hind anywhere. They make their homes in or near beds because their food source is blood...and they are drawn to body heat. When you retire for the night, they will find you. Adults can actually survive up to 1 year without feeding...so lack of food does not necessarily kill them.

Whenever I travel, where ever I travel....my clothes remain in my suitcase. I bring a plastic bag for dirty clothes. I never unpack and use hotel furniture UNLESS I completely the bed....the bed is the best place to find them or their remains...blood stains as you may crush them in the night. I always check the mattress. These things are on average the size of an apple seed..perhaps a bit flatter...and they can be up to the size of the pinky finger nail. They are brownish and become a deep chestnut color after feeding. Guys, you can't miss these things...they are not like flees or gnats.

It is worth being concerned and it is worth inspecting any room in which you stay. If they go home with you.....it will be a very bad situation.