bluefish17

On a more humorous note, on the way to our last cruise, in an airport terminal, we went into a store to buy a bottle of water to take on the plane. They had a self checkout station and after we scanned the water bottle, it rang up $3.99 and then asked how much tip to add! And 0 was not an option, we had to select custom amount, then put in zero.

It is also interesting to note that many of these ships spend part of the year in Europe and then cross the pond for Caribbean cruises. In Europe, it is not customary to tip much at all and Europeans generally don't. Sorry if I'm offending anyone. My butler on last Med cruise which was right before their TA said they couldn't wait to get to the Caribbean for the American passengers and their tips.

One of the things I like about cruising is only having my cruise card in my pocket. No wallet, no money, no keys. Of course, when I go ashore, I have to take my wallet. But on the ship, as little as possible. And I don't want to wait in line at guest services to change money. And I always find the bartenders and servers who gave me good service to tip at the end of the cruise. It just easiest for me that way but others do things their own way. Hopefully this discussion has helped the OP who I think just wants to gather information so as not over tip or under tip.

We tip at the end of the cruise based on the service we have received including the bartenders. There is no way that on my vacation in the Haven I'm going to carry around a wad of small bills to whip out and tip for each drink all day long.

Just off the Viva in a 2 bedroom. Not a dedicated station for makeup so have to use the bathroom. There is a hairdryer with Euro plug. It would not fit in the Euro outlets in the bathroom. Asked our butler and he didn't know what to do. Wife was having to dry hair at the coffee station using the coffee machine plug. Right at the end of the cruise, we found a plug in the bathroom drawer that the hairdryer was in originally.😱

On our recent cruise on the Viva in the Haven, one of the main bartenders at the Haven bar left every night around 8pm to go work in Syd Norman's Pour house. There was an excellent young female bartender who worked afternoons in the Haven pool deck bar but was at the Whiskey Bar in the evenings. I know because they had the 1792 full proof bourbon there but not in the Haven and she could make a great Old Fashioned!

I was in Haven recently on Viva. No VC but they had Pommery Rose. Veuve at Le Bistro.

Yes, next day for us.

We were in this cabin class on Viva. The sitting area is on the small side and would be cramped if using the sleeper sofa there. Both bedrooms are very nice as are the bathrooms with plenty of storage.

Thanks ColdCruise for all the info! Very informative. We were on the Viva Rome to Lisbon and had a great time. I really wanted to stay on for the TA but just didn't have the time. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

4 hours ago, ColdCruise said:

And on that note …. GOOD MORNING from the V!va just north of Holguin, Cuba and south of the Magellanic Banks

 

 

 

Currently at 81F

I see you're taking the Old Bahama Channel.

Just got off Viva in Lisbon. Indulge was very nice, just have to find a table.

Smokers area on deck 17 Sundeck in Haven on ports

side, couple chairs and ashtray things. Out of the wind.

Just got cleared for disembarkation at 8:40.

Thanks Jim, see you soon! Hopefully you are already aware of the free days sightseeing in Rome on 11/4 and 11/5.

Jim,

My wife and I will be on the ship with you from Rome to Lisbon. Do you know how many dressy nights will be on the 10 day? We haven't been on NCL in a while but remember from years ago in the Caribbean, things were fairly casual. But I would guess the Med would be more dressy.

Thanks so much for doing this! It has been very helpful as we are getting on the ship in Rome Nov.6.

One last set of questions. Do people dress up much at night or is it a mix? How many dressy nights on a 9-10 night cruise. Also is the mix of passengers mostly American or mostly European?

Thanks again. Enjoy your last night!

Enjoying your review and am looking forward to my upcoming trip on Viva. Could you take a picture tf the spirits menu at the whiskey bar? Thanks!

You can always bring all the wine you want into the dining room if you transport it in your stomach.🤪

We have stayed in 16033. Great cabin. But no wrap around. There is a door heading aft to go outside of the YC . We found this the easiest way to go to Le Muse for meals by just walking on the outside decks.

How would they know you didn't get it at one of the ship's bars and not have finished it? Probably best not to bring a full glass. But every night? Seems like a lot of extra bother to me.

I second Le Blanc. I have been on several YC cruises on MSC and went to Le Blanc in Cabo last January. My wife and I both agreed it was just like the YC on land!

agree that shade is limited. Best option is arrive early on first day and get pool attendant to set you up loungers in the shade. Then give him a nice tip and ask for setup with towels daily. Keep tipping as well.

We were in 16004 and really liked the location on 16 for TSL proximity and starboard views of Ocean Cay.

He has a website.

Courtney Taylor tours.

Had a really great excursion with Courtney Taylor tours to the Blue Hole and then river tubing. The Blue Hole is awesome and river tubing was a relaxing way to end the day. We had a private van for our group of 8 with 2 guides. Really professional, they took good care of us. I recommend!