graphicguy

I have relayed a story where a very drunk guy ordered a round once when staying in the Haven. Good thing there were only 3 of us in the bar. But, his bill was about $1,000 after his discount, I believe. Granted, I’m not a cognac drinker, but talk about hyperbole in their description. We sipped on it. Frankly, if I had paid more than $10-$15 a shot for it, I would have thought it was too much but would pay it because it was served with a premium being served on a ship. Aside from that, you could have told me it was from Bob’s Back Yard 2022 Grape Vintage and found it believable.

Cool. That’s why there are choices. This was the line for Windjammer. There was a crew member at the entrance telling us it was “sold out”.

Been on Liberty, Allure, Harmony, Anthem, Ovation and one or two others I'm probably forgetting. All had the same issue. Last cruise on Ovation it was so crowded they actually told me that the Buffet was sold out. There was a 30 minute wait just to get a slice of pizza in Sorrento's, which isn't unusual on any of my Royal Cruises. Crazy but true. I've always run into big crowds on the promenade on them all. Not saying I haven't had fun on Royal Cruises, but there's definitely some service deficiencies on them compared to my NCL cruises.

I'm not going to generalize, as there are only a few who make it miserable for everyone else. You found a couple. Don't get why they act the way they do. But, you cruise enough, you find them....unfortunately.

Try this one.... https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/norwegian-cruise-lines-credit-card/

They have entertainers regularly in the OL. The draw is the 270º views from just about anywhere you look. Been on both. If there’s one ship that is unique in the NCL stable, it’s the Epic. I loved it. I loved having the different parts of the cabin separated. One person could be showering or brushing their teeth in the sink while another could be using the toilet. Lots of firsts NCL implemented with the EPIC. Large entertainment venues along with smaller ones (e.g. Cavern Club vs Main Theater). 24 hour food and drink venue at O’Sheehans. Love the Bliss, too. You have the Observation Lounge, which is my hangout most times I’m on her. District Brew House, which is a nice little craft beer hangout. Syd Norman’s, while crowded, is a bar type entertainment venue that hosts the best band on any ship I’ve ever sailed….on any cruise line. Bliss also has the WaterFront, which is a great way to enjoy a drink or Specialty Restaurant meal while being outside taking in the beautiful scenery. Both good…both different.

Thanks!

You know, I need to look at my account to see if I have an upgrade available, too! Thanks all for the info!

I see what you’re saying. Did it on a whim. No matter. Got what I was looking for!

I was only going to use the credit card once....specifically for a cruise. $2,000 fare x 3% is $60. The OBC was the better deal for me.

Why wouldn't you do it? I just got an NCL card for that very purpose. I charged whatever the minimum was, got the OBC for my upcoming cruise, and paid it off. Probably never use it again. But, they paid me $200 OBC for the few minutes of work it took me to apply for it.

No bad choice on either. Joy gets a very slight edge because it’s a bit newer.

Along those same lines, I think seeing the continual “lounge chair hogs”, the line cutting for drinks, the “gabbers” and late comers at shows who insist in traipsing to the aisles upsetting everyone in their path, to the people who feel the safety drill doesn’t apply to them and keeps constant announcements in our ears, and weed smokers, etc believing the ship is theirs and theirs alone, makes some of us a little testy. I don’t mine anyone wearing any badge. Just as long as your respectful or your fellow cruisers, and the crew, we’re good. If you’re Ambassador Status, I don’t think you have much problem finding friends. You’ve taken a LOT of cruises. Which means you know how all this works. Reminds me of a passenger which I recall being on one of my Royal cruises who insisted on wearing one of those dinosaur costumes which were somewhat popular at the time, in pubic areas of the ship. This person would take up 5 extra spaces in the elevators, knock people over around the pool aisles, block the cabin aisles they were in. This person finally got stuck in one of the doors going to to the pool deck. Now, I’m sure this person thought they were hilarious by wearing the costume. But, no one else did and no one lifted a finger to help when they got stuck and actually went to one of the other doors to go around them. Finally, the person started yelling for help. No one would until finally security came along. Not sure what happened after that, and now seems humorous. But, it was a huge irritant at the time. Didn’t see the dinosaur the rest of the cruise.

I used the 20% off on my next Europe cruise in Oct. Since it's no longer in my account for me to look at the terms, my guess is your cruise itinerary doesn't meet those terms. Call NCL Customer Service and ask them.

Interesting takes from the Royal Crowd. I can count the times on one hand that I've made any reservations for dining on NCL. It's practically imperative on Royal...even with MTD. Crowds......mentioned the lines for dining on Royal. That transfers to the Royal Promenade, too....shoulder to shoulder if ANY sort of event is happening. Again, different strokes.

Oh sweet deity. When does “NO SMOKING OR VAPING” (unless in designated areas) not translate to NO? The arguments are old and tired. NCL (as well as all the other cruise lines) has forbidden smoking/vaping of ANY type of substance on balconies and restrict it to designated areas of their ships. Arguing arm chair “science” isn’t the point. It’s forbidden…for good reason. Some, I’m sure is for the safety of the ship, guests and crew. Some, I’m sure is because if you forbid one and not the other, all of a sudden the “vapers” are going to be blowing big billows of whatever they exhale in all areas of the ship. That’s not a good thing, either. The current rules are going in the opposite direction. The cruise lines are going to restrict it more, not less. Until finally (probably sooner than later) is going to prohibit it entirely…..both smoking and vaping…..ANYTHING! We’ve had this discussion regarding marijuana, too. People say they have a script. I get that. But, in reality, on a Federal level, marijuana is still an illegal substance. Not arguing whether that’s right or wrong. It just is. Moreover, it’s illegal in most ports. Getting caught with cannabis of any type in a foreign port will net you jail time….IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY! It won’t be a slap on the wrist as in the U.S. Why risk any of that? So, it’s forbidden on the cruise ship, too. This is another case of “I don’t care what you think or what the rules are or whom else I annoy on board, I’m going to act like a 5 year old and do whatever I want” attitude.

👏👏👏

Many Thanks…may take you up on that. Join us for the MEET AND GREET! So far… -Graphicguy (1) -biffluger (4) -Northofu1 (2) -Mary and Barbara (2) -GrammieCruising (2) -Ticatraveler (2) -Smokelynx (2) -Nicole (1) -Ted and Dolly Farmer (2) -Dumkat01 (5) -Peacham (2) -Vickie, Pat, Roberta (3) -loveysbydesign (2) NCL is hosting our… MEET AND GREET FRIDAY OCTOBER 6 FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL NOON IN CAGNEY’S STEAK HOUSE! They will have crew to answer our questions!!!! They usually provide drinks and snacks!

Got to be frank with you, I've read this post 3 times and still don't understand it. Regarding those who insist on being acknowledged by anyone, be they crew or other guests, for the number of times they've cruised any particular line, tells me more about their insecurity in general and narcissism overall, than whatever badge they wear.

First thing I thought.....is there some reason West Coast farmers don't know how to grow vegetables vs Florida farmers?

Maybe. I think the issue with that is the salad bar. It gets windy up there. I can see fresh salad items blowing all around the area. Might be fun trying to stab a beet with a fork mid-air, though! All day breakfast restaurant, maybe?

That's not good. I can't imagine many guests allowing that to continue past the first time.

BTW….Carnival is sort of their “own thing”. They seem to cater to, and attract, a separate demographic. That’s not a good or a bad thing…..just different. So, it’s no surprise that if you prefer Royal, you will not fit in on Carnival.

Loaded question is right. Royal is probably the cruise line I’ve sailed the most AFTER NCL. I’m Diamond on Royal. Have sailed their ‘mid-tier’ and their largest (at the time) Allure. NCL I’ve sailed their largest (Breakaway +) and their mid tier (Gem). -ENTERTAINMENT…NCL does this extremely well. While Royal is good also, their shows tend to be less polished than NCL’s. Plus, NCL has what I consider the best bands at sea…those that play in Cavern Club and Syd Norman’s. There is always something going on in the Atrium on NCL, too….music, games, etc. SHIPs….I like Royal’s ships. I think there little touches are good. Their decor are fresh and interesting. The Central Park area on Oasis class is quite nice. NCL’s ships are quite nice, too. I truly like their Breakaway (and plus) Waterfront areas and probably spend more time there than anywhere else on an NCL cruise. You can dine, drink or just read a book on a couch in those areas while hearing and watching the ship sail through the water. I do not like the “smoke” smell in the OCEAN 678 areas coming from the casinos on Breakaway class. Breakaway Plus alleviates this by enclosing a small area in the casino for smokers. Royal Ships always feel like a Mall to me. They tend to focus on pointing everything to the interior….where there are shops, bars and restaurants. FOOD-NCL does “free style” better than any other cruise line, period. I LOVE the concept of eating wherever, whenever I feel like. Short of a couple of dishes I’ll never order again (Lobster Thermidor in LeBistro), I find the food from the Garden Cafe to Ocean Blue to be fresh and well prepared. Royal overall is good. But, they can not get MTD to be anywhere near what NCL’s FreeStyle is. Royal has been trying to do it right, but still can’t seem to nail it. Even when I’ve had reservations at the MDRs, there’s always been a significant wait. Specialty Dining on Royal is prompt, however. Perhaps not fair given this was the only time I’ve ever seen this on any cruise line, but my last Royal Cruise was on the Ovation of the Seas. The Windjammer Buffet was SOLD OUT twice. How that is possible I don’t know. But, my guess is people got so tired of waiting to be seated at the MDRs they all went to the buffet. When we couldn’t get into the buffet, we went to Sorrentos for pizza. Sure enough, the line to get a slice of pizza was 30 minutes long. That was a faux pas of grand order and really inexcusable on any cruise. SERVICE-whenever I interfaced with crew on either, it was good. Folks were polite and helpful when they could be. Had a little bit of a run in with a crew member doing something as simple as trying to get my soda cup to work with their soda machines. I’m easy going. She probably was overwhelmed because of the lines to get sodas in Sorrentos was long, also. NCL’s crew has always bent over backwards to make my cruise a pleasurable experience. Overall, so does Royal’s. NCL’s FAS drinks package is WAY cheaper than Royal’s ($50-$80 if purchased in advance). NCL’s Free At Sea package is at least ½ that price. And, there are other “gimmes” that go along with Free At Sea (like some internet minutes, some cheap Specialty Dining offers, a $50/per excursion credit). If you are Diamond Status and above, you get 4 free drinks/day on Royal. So, that mitigates getting the drink package, unless you’re a heavy drinker. I know of people that can consume a dozen drinks per day. Not judging, but that would put me in bed early every night. If you like NCL, you’ll likely enjoy Royal. Differences? Yeah. But, saying one is head and shoulders above the other? Can’t make that claim. It can and will be ship dependent, too. Which ship(s) are you looking to sail on? As said, they’re both probably more similar than different. I’ll sail either again.

Yeah….out of all the cruise lines I’ve sailed, NCL’s customer service personnel are by far the best.