cruisinpips

Second time cruiser in April on NCL Escape, in a Club Balcony. We have several friends joining, some in regular balcony rooms. Does NCL offer a coffee maker to anyone, or just Club Balcony and above? Also, because my wife would like to know, how does the laundry service work, do they provide a bag, have a limit of items or what? thanks for the information!

We are on Escape April 16th. Puerto Plata on the 18th. Shows only Escape in port that day, I really hope for an extra sea day, never seen anything in DR that would want me to return….

Based on NCL’S list, Crown is included on the basic beverage package, but based on a couple of other posts, it is in the upgraded package? Anyone with recent experience or knowledge? We sail in April, just curious if it will be included?

Our TA said no way, no how. When the promotion first began they had great reviews, but lately with all the airline issues, it has been a nightmare. If you have two reservations on the same cruise, likely not on the same flights. Absolutely no changes in flights or seats. That was the TA telling us that, she said book your own flights if you want to be together and have control over your travel. By the way, we book directly for flights, never booked air through her, so she’s not looking for commissions….she works for a cruise agency.

We are on NCL Escape for our cecond NCL cruise in April. Our group of 6 were lucky enough to score Vibe passes online. It will be our first time. Can those with experience in Vibe tell me what all we can expect there, desides the private non crowded area to hang in? Do they give you wrist bands, activate something on your card for access, or how is access monitored? Any other tips or information would be appreciated.

Update, Escape is currently at Amber Cove, according to cruisemapper. Not sure why they aren’t going to Tiano Bay, unless they think it needs to dredged since Escape ran aground a while back.

From the NCL contract….see last sentence ) At all times the Master (whether acting alone or on advice from others) has liberty to direct the movements of the ship, including the right to proceed without pilots and tow. The ship also has liberty to deviate from the advertised route and/or timetable , and to call or omit, advance or delay calling at any port or place to tow and assist vessels and to offer or render assistance to preserve life or property or for any other reason or purpose which in the judgment of the Master of the ship (whether alone or acting on advice from others) is reasonable including, but not limited to, weather conditions, operational matters, the medical condition of anyone on board, the safety, comfort or convenience of guests and any measures, actions, precautions or requirements which may have been introduced as result of COVID-19, or any other health emergency. Such deviation shall not give rise to any liability on our part and shall not represent a significant change to the holiday.

I have never understood why people want to sit in the room and watch movies, play on the playstation, etc. you are on a cruise, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the poolside, go to some activity on the ship. You can watch movies and play Playstation at home. I guess to each their own… On another note, imagine you are the neighbor to a room with kids playing playstation while you are trying to sleep!! I’d be ticked! The room walls in some ships are like cardboard anyway, rowdy kids in the room would simply make things worse.

Just off Horizon yesterday. Never saw a hard copy of fun times, but never looked. Definitely not delivered to the room. Almost every venue is open for lunch on embarkation day. Pasta at Cucina d3l Capitano, noodles at JiJi’s, buffet, pizza, seafood shack, Guys Pig and Anchor, Bonsai Sushi, etc. Muster drill is at your assembly station listed on your card, takes less than 5 minutes. We just did the 6 day, elegant nights were Monday and Thursday

From the website… just off Horizon Yesterday, only priority line at GS was Diamond and Platinum….maybe on newer ships with high dollar suites, not on ours. The following perks are not for those guests traveling in suite accommodations unless they are VIFP Diamond or Platinum guests or have purchased Faster to the Fun. Priority line at Guest Services desk Dedicated onboard Guest Services phone number Also… https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5702/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNjY5NTgxOTU5L3NpZC9mVTlhRTM1S2ZYTVY0OTBUVlBTUHprZEsxUURZUnVVRjRFOThJWVNBNXFaUW9aYW1UbDMzeUJ4T05Fdk53OVlmVWgxQiU3RTZkZG5aNmQ1WFIzUUZkZ1JNeHY5U1dMdFJuaG8xRzY2QXlKUUIwU0d4Nk9mNlh1Wk9qQSUyMSUyMQ%3D%3D#Excel

Fighting hasn’t ended for sure… just off Horizon this morning. Took elevator to Lido yesterday afternoon and about 12-15 security guards were gathered around a group, one of whom was in a wheel chair. He was an amputee, so not sure how much fighting he could have been doing, but he was somehow involved ( overheard the lady screaming at security about it) saw at least two security guards with spray bottles and towels, apparently cleaning up blood. I got the heck out of there, saw some comments on our FB page, but no real info. The comedian even used it in his material last night…. There are so many idiots anymore, I’m never surprised by anything.

Just off Horizon this morning, Thanksgiving turkey in MDR was real carved turkey. It was a little dry but OK. Also had the “rolled and stuffed” dark meat slice. on another note…Steakhouse was awesome as usual, as was Teppanyaki. Tried the Bonsai teryaki steak in Bonsai Sushi and it was great.

To each his/her own, but in all our cruises (32), not all with Alchemy, I have never had a drink at Alchemy that I would order again. I avoid those drinks and carry my own to the bar when visiting. Not sure why, but every drink I’ve ever had at Alchemy gave me the worse case of heartburn ever. Although they look and sound good on the menu, I simply cannot drink them. Give me a Crown and diet, and I’m happy…unless it’s diet Pepsi…😳. I have steered towards Mojitos or Titos with a mixer of late…

In several trips to GT, I have never encountered anything that would make me want to get off if “vaccination” was required. Although I have been “vaccinated” and have “the card”, I would simply stay onboard and keep my money to spend in a port that would appreciate it! Hopefully, they will learn the hard way!!

We leave on our 4th trip on Horizon inntwo weeks. By far our favorite ship, and thats because of Havana and all the restaurants! We sailed Vista in September in a Havana Cabana, but didn’t enjoy near as much. Aft balconies 7 or 8 are the way to go! We never leave there except to eat!

We always book the steakhouse on elegant nights, we have never been asked to dress elegantly. The only requirement is men must wear pants. Like another comment said, we have seen staff ask men to change into pants before being seated. I have never worn anythinig except pants and polo shirt to the steakhouse. Last cruise, I forgot dress shoes and wore flip flops, not a word was said.

Being in the deep south doesn’t help…had a great breakfast buffet earlier this year in Miami, which is nearly as far South as possible, but the gravy was like some type of paper mache or wallpaper glue!! It’s the ability to cook “southern style” that eludes most of these “chefs”!

Cruisin for the 33rd time this November, we have never been to Brunch. Never saw anything that remotely interested us on the menu. And based on this thread, I certainly don’t now…. Ate in dining room for breakfast twice on our last cruise based on the crowds in Lido… nothing special there either.

Here is the link to all benefits… https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1167/~/cloud-9-spa

Same here, in 30+ cruises, I have never watched a movie by the pool, or had a desire to… walked by a few times and found them super annoying… leaving on Vista Saturday and won’t watch one then… BTW @Rollin Tide.. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

Legend is currently on an 8 day canada and New England cruise. Left Baltimore on 9/3, (Saturday), today is in Boston….

They will turn you away from the Steakhouse with shorts on, or it has been my experience on our past cruises. Twice on Horizon last year and once this year, we saw them ask several people to change into pants in order to be seated. They also remind you when leaving a message about your reservation “shorts are not allowed in the steakhouse ”. I could care less what others wear personally, but just passing along our experiences.

Gratuities are included. Top shelf liquors are included unless they are over $20 each, havent discovered any of those recently, just ask for grey goose, patron, or the liquor of your choice when ordering. 15 alcoholic driks per 24 hour period. When on Horizon recently, all top shelf bourbon was included in Guy’s Pig and Anchor bar, like Blantons, Eagle Rare, etc…