graphicguy

I have yet to find any yoghurt on any cruise ship that I like. And, I really like yoghurt.

I plan on trying to "concoct" something that approximates Bailey's made from different liquors that I "think" might get close. Don't know how successful I'll be. But, I'm sure it will be fun trying. Maybe I can get Jamie to participate since she's going to be on this cruise, too. She can be the final arbiter.

I find the “IGNORE” or “BLOCK” function to work quite well. I’ve only blocked one person in all the years I’ve been here at CC, but it makes my browsing a lot more pleasant.

I use AMEX Plat benefits all the time. The only time I’ve received the $300 OBC is by booking the Haven. However, I have a Club Balcony booked for later this month and I got $200 OBC + dinner at LeBistro with a bottle of wine. The difference between a Balcony vs a Club Balcony is a bigger bathroom, as best as I’ve experienced. As far as perks go, the Club Balcony also nets you a free (small) bag of laundry. Not sure about the rest. I would check with your TA to see what they may offer as perks.

The carpet “fish” are still around. And, I had a Rebellious Fish drink on the Getaway a few months ago.

This is a pic of the line to get into the buffet before I was told it was “sold out”.

I don’t know if they have more pool deck space. But, their pools are bigger than NCL’s. THe solarium on the Oasis class ships is a great place. It’s been awhile but I sailed Allure. IIRC, the Solarium had lots of windows but it wasn’t open to the outside. Could be wrong on that count.

Howdy. The entertainment in 270 was little more than rehearsals, until there was a full performance the last day of the cruise. And, it was unannounced. You know, aside from the foibles, I had a good time. I have sailed Royal at other times and enjoyed them, also. But, some people say tomato….others say tomawto. Certainly plenty of people who like Royal. This was well after the start up, otherwise I would have chalked it up to knocking off the rust by Royal. At the end of the day, a cruise is what you make it. But, when I shop for a cruise, Royal is pretty far down the list of ones I check these days.

Yeah….that was fun. Sorry I didn’t show self control and engaged against my better judgement. I’ll leave you with this…… Back on topic…..Bourbon is my main drink….more specifically, Buffalo Trace bourbon. I live within an hour of the Bourbon Trail and find it hard to find short of going to the distillery. Not a real vodka guy, but like Titos and SKYY for my morning Bloody Mary. When I get fancy, it’s usually a Dark and Stormy. Beers-fave is Peroni. I like Goose Island, too. But, if I’m hot and thirsty, even a plain ‘ol Budweiser will do. I’ve been known to drink a martini up or a Worldwide as an after dinner drink.

Amen!

Why can't I use OBC? Of course it matters. It's money I don't have to spend on the cruise. That makes it the MOST accurate measure. As I said, at the end of the day, it's about how many greenbacks I had to spend for the cruise. Subtract your $600 of OBC on your Celebrity cruise and what's your out of pocket? Look, I'm sure you're a nice guy and a joy to cruise with (you are...aren't you?). No matter how I put the figures out there, you don't like them. That's OK. You don't have to. But, if you do not like NCL (and I get it if you don't), that's OK, too. Stay with Celebrity (I like them, too), or MSC, or Carnival, or Royal or whomever else you do like. But, don't denigrate those of us who choose to sail NCL. Wish you the best! As my friend @Sthrngary always says....CRUISE WELL!

Yeah...you can get in line under My Time Dining. I found it frustrating because there didn't seem to be any rhyme nor reason as to who got seated. People got in line behind me who had My Time Dining, but were seated before me. From what I understand, the MTDs were so dysfunctional, people got tired of waiting and went to the Buffet (Windjammer). Every table was filled as a result, and the sign they put up stating "sold out". I ended up going to their pizza restaurant, but the line for that was crazy long. Went to a bar. Had a liquid dinner and finally made it to the pizza place 3 hours later. Weird!

OK...I'll repeat, but just for you.... This is for a solo, on the Breakaway, for a 7 night New England Cruise, in a Club Balcony Cabin, with all the Free At Sea Perks.... I’m at $836 before any FCC. Used my AMEX Platinum to pay and they gave me $200 OBC + a dinner at LeBistro with a bottle of wine. My Latitudes status got me another 2 Specialty dinners plus another $75 OBC. Got another $100 OBC for owning NCL stock. My “all in” fare got me another 2 Specialty Dinners. That’s 5 Specialty Dinners. -$375 total OBC subtracted from $836….that brings the out of pocket for this cruise to $461. Not even using the TA’s “free tips” promo (not sure why I’d not take advantage of that) the out of pocket would be $617.

Yeah...that's what I kind of thought. In the mean time, I'm paying less to cruise on NCL now than I ever have...and their ships are nicer.

Boy...I'm going to hate myself for this, but here goes. What is it that NCL has taken away from you that causes you to come in here and constantly cry?

Someone stop me.....PULEEZE!!!!!! MSC Meriviglia 7 night Caribbean/Bahamas solo cruise in the Yacht Club Interior Suite with drinks, all in using my (soon to expire) Diamond Voyagers Club status/discount sailing Nov 6...... Complete your booking Select your payment option and book your cruise! Pay total amount $ 1,705.71 I accept terms and conditions on behalf of and with the consent of all persons named in the booking I could sail New England on the NCL Breakaway, disembark in NYC, jump on a plane to Orlando and embark on the MSC Meriviglia the same day. Total out of pocket for both cruises would be less than $2K. Why am I looking at flights to FL????????

Lots of similarities in mainstream cruise lines. But, if there were a big difference between them, it would be between MSC and Carnival. You're sailing similar itineraries, but they are two very different experiences....particularly between the Yacht Club on MSC and something line a Havana Cabin on Carnival. I will say, if you enjoy the Carnival experience, you'd be less likely to enjoy the MSC experience....and vice versa. MSC has a very European feel to it, whereas Carnival is more of an amusement park feel. MSC is glitz, Carnival feels like Gatlinburg. MSC food is very Mediterranean. Carnival is unabashedly American chain restaurant. MSC entertainment tends towards appealing to an international crowd. Carnival entertainment tends toward Pigeon Forge. Again, not saying one is better, just very different.

End of season sailings in both Alaska and NE cruises are good deals right now. FL trips tend to be more expensive around the holidays, spring break and when school lets out. Hurricane season, FL cruises tend to be cheaper.

The flip side to that, it's pretty interesting what you'll find going on around a cruise ship at 3:30 a.m. I tend to wander when I can't sleep, either.

Holy Moly…..things are high where you live. Was just shopping at Krogers last night. Just about everything you listed was ½ the price you quoted in these parts. Bought a lb of hickory smoked bacon for $4.70….$2.69 for a loaf of bread. 30 mega pack of toilet paper (charmin) for $24. I don’t drink sodas but a case (24) of either Pepsi or Coke (can’t remember which one) was less than $10. I better stick to where I’m living. 😉

I travel with the Philips One......it's the rechargeable version (uses USB-A). It comes with a case, too. I think I picked it up at Target or Kohls for $17-$18. Best money I have ever spent. Got some brush refills on Amazon for cheap, too. Has its own case, is slim and easy to pack. One of my "can't live without it" items when I cruise.

Will make this brief about the smoking issue to say smoking on cruise ships is mirroring the rest of society. Smoking is generally frowned upon, no matter where you go in public. I do think it's a pretty big stretch to say someone who smokes is discriminated against given how smoking affects those around them, too. Smoke permeates other's hair, clothes, lungs...it's just very unpleasant for the vast majority of us who don't smoke. It's my hope that NCL adopts a closed off area on all ships for smoking. If you have a gambling addiction and are a smoker, you are correct. Stay out of the casino. You have the area outside to smoke. Walking stairs? Not sure what your particular malady is, but overall, I find walking the stairs is a great way to stay in some semblance of shape to work off the plentiful food on board. Shops? The cigarette section is again, mirroring society. It's becoming less and less a part of the shops on board because fewer and fewer people smoke....to the point it represents a very small percentage of the people on board their ships. If you want a larger selection of liquor, probably a better bet to shop at some of the stores at one of the ship's stops. Trinkets? I dunno...you can get a replica of the ship you're on, you can get fridge magnets, you can get sweatshirts and T-Shirts on board. What else are you looking for? Again, might want to wait and shop at one of the ports. If you are still on board, look at the fish on the carpet where the cabins are. If they're swimming backward, you are walking to the aft portion of the ship. You are walking towards the front of the ship if they're sailing forward. Hope the rest of your cruise is enjoyable.

You're going to have such a good time. Excited for you.

Airline fares are even worse than cruise fares. Hard to make rhyme or reason with them. Weekends are generally cheaper than during the week, when most of the business travelers book (with the exception of Vegas). They restrict some of my flights when booking with points, too. That said, in OH where I live, I can be in Orlando, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, NYC, Boston in about 90 minutes to two hours. I can be in Galveston LA, SanFrancisco, Seattle or VanCouver in 3-4 hours from here. But, I can plan for it to be 2-3 hours from here to there based on time differences. For all intents and purposes, if I'm sailing out of North America, I can be at any given port in a few hours, at most.

Still working off some Frequent Flyer points from before I retired. Definitely nice to be able to just pack and go when I feel like it. Had some surgery done last week, and my Doc doesn’t recommend traveling for another week. So, as much as I wanted to book that Alaska deal on the Encore or Bliss next week, I will follow his recommendations.