Number34

I’m on the Joy for the 11/25 cruise to Panama Canal. In the Haven and have FAS+. Question is that the only two cocktails I really enjoy before dinner are a Bloody Mary or a Cuba Libre (OK, I will try a martini if I have to….) and would like advice on which bar is best for them? I don’t like the ones that are premixed and wonder whether it is worth asking for ‘top shelf’ vodka or rum?

Update - yesterday I had an email about Black Friday offers and bought the 3 meal deal at a 25% discount.

You are all so organised, I am very impressed. We are in the Haven but as we are in the UK we don’t get sent luggage tags. I’ve printed the ones that are in the eDocs that I downloaded after completing online check-in, note to self print another set! Our flight from Heathrow to Miami is in 6 days so I will get the suitcases down from the loft and we will start packing and sorting out what to take tomorrow. This is complicated by the fact that daytime temperatures here are around 6C/45F and our Joy cruise is the Panama Canal itinerary and it will be sunnier and warmer. This means packing summer clothes but wearing warmer garments when travelling back and forth to Heathrow. I am organised enough to have separate travel toiletry bags but that is it!

Thanks for all the advice, will definitely follow! Never had a pretzel roll as I don’t think they are available in the UK so that’s lunch sorted on the first sea day.

Sailing on Joy later this month and wondering whether there are any restrictions on ordering multiple items from the menu, eg 2 Shrimp Louie as an appetiser or the Caesar salad with the beets?

Had a 7 day Mediterranean cruise from Marseille on Seaview. Very impressed with the YC, excellent service and great foo in the restaurant. Plenty of seating in the lounge. Concierge was always available and helpful. Lots of space at the pool area as well although the food choice and timings were limited. The rest of the ship was busy but very pleasant but we spent most evenings in the YC. Price very competitive when compared to Retreat on Celebrity and Haven on NCL. Would not hesitate to book again.

We are sailing on the late November cruise to Panama City. It will be our second Haven cruise on NCL, the first was on Epic. The Haven bar on Epic was always accessible and it was very easy to get a drink - we liked a Tio Pepe before dinner and I often stopped later on to collect a cognac nightcap. I am rather worried by the recent reviews about the slow service as having use of the Haven bar was one of the main factors I took into consideration when booking the Haven. I am rather impatient and do not like slow bar service so am interested to hear more about the experiences of recent cruisers.

Thanks for the advice so far, much appreciated. As to the random flash sales will they appear on the website or the app?

We have a 7 night cruise on Infinity booked for next summer. As we are in a Sky suite we will have access to the Luminae restaurant for dinner but I would like to experience Le Petit Chef and the Tuscan Grill. When I look for dining packages I was surprised to see that they start at 4 nights which is too many, especially as there are only 3 restaurants and Sushi is not an option we like. Am wondering that one we board there might be offers that are not available online. Does anyone have any recent information on this?

I’m considering booking a Greek Islands cruise next year as a birthday treat for my wife. Last time we were on the ship it only had Michaels Club as a lounge for suite guests. I see it now has the Retreat and would be very interested in hearing from anyone who has cruised on it recently and whether they considered it worth the extra. Thanks

I’m considering a Greek Isles cruise next July and two itineraries that I like are one on Celebrity Infinity and one on Celestyal Journey. I’ve been on Infinity before and had a great time but cabin rates make Celestyal a tempting choice. BUT most of the reviews are terrible. Any advice welcome.

Have sailed twice on QM2, return trip from Southampton to NewYork. Beautiful ship, spacious with great lounges. Had Britannia balcony on way over as. Was on my own, fixed dinner sittings and tables in the Britannia restaurant. Food and service was good. On way back Britannia Club balcony as was with my wife, flexible dining times and more choice on the menu. I hated the atmosphere on the formal nights, and if I remember correctly, if you do not dress up you are limited to eating in the buffet and also have limited access to the bars. Much prefer NCL and would never go back to Cunard.

Amy, we are in The Haven on Joy this coming November and being British we too cannot bear the thought of heating water for our morning tea in the coffee maker. Can you let us know how your friend has managed to get a “proper kettle”?

We have P+ on our next sailing and, for me I find this a puzzling topic. If you can have as many glasses of any wine you want what is the advantage of having a bottle?

My upcoming cruise to the Panama Canal includes 2 nights hotel in Miami pre-cruise and 1 night hotel in Panama City post cruise. Both hotels are Hilton’s and I have Gold status in HHonors. Does anyone know if I can add the information to the booking? Either via NCL or when I check-in?