Ken Greco

This post caused some very quick responses. I do feel sorry for the people at RCCL that have to put the cruisers together for the MDR. Think about up to 2000 to 3000 people a cruise on the Oasis class that have will be seated together. The chances of "tablemate nightmares" is pretty high. Seems like language issues are high on the list.

Husband and I were seated at a table for 10...the 8 others were a group of Russians who were cruising together. The only English from 7 of them were four letter words and drink orders and 1 who spoke a little English.

 

They smiled at us a lot which I choose to believe was trying to make us feel comfortable but they were constantly leaving the table to go smoke and would come back hollering at the wait staff for their food and drinks.

 

We switched tables the next night :D

My wife and I had the same problem with 9 Spanish speaking cruisers and not word of English, left that table too.

We all have experienced the issue of sitting with tablemates that are strangers and have the dining staff move us because not wanting to sit with those tablemates that we know right away we will not spend 7 nights with them. What are some funny stories about that; please keep it clean.

I highly recommend staying there for a week. :D

 

We did everything that's been mentioned and then some. I honestly can't imagine only being there for a day trip.

 

It's been 8 years and not a week goes by without thinking about going back.

I agree about staying there for a week. But the cruise allows e to see other ports such as Mykonos

Both times we visited Santorini we rented a car from Tony's Rent a Car. We drove around the island, stopping wherever we wanted to take pictures and ended up at Oia. Easy road to drive and Tony or his wife is waiting for you with her excellent baklava when you return the car. This was the absolute best day of the cruise and the most inexpensive.

Do you remember the cost of the rental car?

Can anyone tell me about the Santorini excursions they took?

Going on the Pearl in January. Never been on a NCL cruise. Regular RCCL cruiser. Tell me about the food offered positives and negatives. Are the specialty restaurants worth it?

This is the most debated topic on cruise critic. One has to make a choice of what to wear on "formal" nights in the MDR. Consider you tablemates if you are dining with strangers at a large table. If you feel comfortable wearing casual clothes; other than wearing your baseball cap all night for dinner; I have yelled at my 25 year old son for doing that; than go ahead. Be considerate of your tablemates who chose to dress up on a night that may feel very special to them. On my last cruise we celebrated one of my tablemates birthday on formal night. It really made this person feel special considering all of us were dressed for the occasion.

Recommendations for a reasonable hotel near port of miami

In late January Entertainment Cruises booked the NCL Pearl for a NASCAR themed cruise. Many of the current and former stars of NASCAR will be on the cruise. I am booked as a solo cruiser. The ship leaves Miami and goes to Nassau, Key West and their private island and a day at sea.

It is obvious things have changed. After 25 years of cruising many times on formal nights the waiters or matre de would say something to these "underdressed" people on formal nights to remind them there is a dress code; even though it is never enforced; at least no tee shirts what is the point of "formal" night.

If you were the couple that donated the Vikings water bottle thank you again. I used it already; worked well. Thanks again to the person the put together the cabin crawl. I got to see the cabins we could never afford.

Ken,

We saw that on Oasis as well but not to the point where "someone should have said something to them". Plenty of people were dressed nicely for formal night. We went to Giovanni's on the first formal night, me in my cocktail dress, and Marc in his tux. Most other folks had on at least slacks and collared shirts and several were in formal attire like us, celebrating special occasions. The couple who got seated in the midst of all this in cargo shorts, t-shirts and sandals looked quite out of place. Dress code is a suggestion but if folks go too casual for dining anywhere but the buffet, they might feel out of place....or they might not, and that's their choice.

It is obvious things have changed. After 25 years of cruising many times on formal nights the waiters or matre de would say something to these "underdressed" people on formal nights to remind them there is a dress code; even though it is never enforced; at least no tee shirts what is the point of "formal" night.

Just got off the Oasis. On formal night I wore a suit and tie. I saw men in tee shirts and shorts. What is the point of formal nights if people dress like this? I may be old fashioned but RCCL has gotten too politically correct by not saying anything to these people. On formal nights do you want to sit across some guy wearing a tee shirt that says "I got drunk at Senor Frogs"

Photos and reviews are excellent. IPhone 7 takes amazing photos. Greece is on my bucket list.

If you every stop in Key West as a port; have the traditional Key West meal: Conk fritters, Key lime pie and a margarita

I first go to the MDR to check out my seating. I have had the experience of asking for a large table of 8 or 10 and they put me and my wife with a table of 4. Had to have the waiters change my table the first night.

If you ever have to go to the Guest Relations avoid the evenings; it is total madness. Try early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

If you have booked an excursion; visit the shore excursion desk and check the details of your booking. They can give you much more information about the trip

Many posts about not getting off in Nassau. I disagree. The residents of Nassau count on us passengers for a good part of their income. Do the island residents a favor and visit their island. Even if you just have lunch in one of the local Bahamian cafes. Every island has its positives and negatives. Nassau and the Bahamas just went through a hurricane and a tropical storm in the last three weeks. I found the Bahamian people friendly and welcoming. Think about tourists coming to your part of the country and never seeing all that your community has to offer.

What is the best stay and park deal for Fort Lauderdale to stay the night before cruise?

Thanks

Just stayed at the Rodeway Inn Airport location. They have a good deal. Good breakfast and free shuttle to Port Everglades

I am going on the Pearl in January. I am a regular RCCL cruise and have never been on NCL. Any reviews of the Pearl?

One more comment: Go and visit Central Park at night. It takes on a amazing look like you are walking thru a beautiful small town in Europe; love the live birds that have found a home there

I was on the same cruise with you and I agree the Windjammer needs to be improved. But I found our service in the MDR was excellent. They prepared a special meal for my table of Indian food and make a beautiful cake that is a tradition with my family. I saw the production of "Cats" and loved it; but then again I am a New Yorker and love Broadway. I did not see the negatives you dealt with; they service around the ship was great for me.

I have been on 10 RCCL and 5 Carnival cruises; first time on NCL. I am going on the Pearl. Any reviews or hints to enjoy the Pearl. It is a NASCAR themed cruise in January.

Just got off the Oasis and here is my review. I may be in parts so bear with me that is my laptop issue not cruise critic.

 

As a former cruisers on the Oasis in 2010 and a solo cruiser this time I saw some positive things and negative things. First, the positive things. Embarcation was fast and easy. I was on the ship with little paper work in 15 minutes. Carry your luggage on if you can fit it thru the scanner; no waiting for your luggage by your cabin. Second, the ship still looked beautiful. Third, the Cats production was amazing but long 2 1/2 hours long. Cats is not for everyone it is not your traditional broadway musical but the singing and dancing will blow you away. Fourth, The captain was the most accessible captain I have met. He was on the TV telling about the course changes to avoid the lousy weather and also he hosted a Q&A session in person on the ship; the first for me.

 

Now the negative: The two formal nights in the MDR were hardly formal. I wore a suit and tie along with my well dressed tablemates. But I saw men in tee shirts and shorts, and wearing hats all thru the dinner. Women were casually dressed. Looks like RCCL does not was to offend anyone anymore. Second, Our cruise director was never seen greeting people around the ship. Third, food choices in the MDR was cut back. The green salads were terrible. The lobster was over cooked. The best meal was the ravioli in a cream sauce, fantastic. Fourth, No one sat around the piano bar; the man had no connection with the cruisers. Five, The Park Café which generally has great reviews was a hit and a miss this time. Their roast beef sandwiches were well cooked other times the meat was so raw it could have walked off your plate. Six, The royal promenade was a constant shopping district with watches, trinkets every night. It did convince me to buy a few watches for friends back home but what else are you going to bring to your friends; a RCCL tee shirt to make them feel guilty.

Just got off the Oasis and here is my review. I may be in parts so bear with me that is my laptop issue not cruise critic.

As a former cruisers on the Oasis in 2010 and a solo cruiser this time I saw some positive things and negative things. First, the positive things. Embarcation was fast and easy. I was on the ship with little paper work in 15 minutes. Carry your luggage on if you can fit it thru the scanner; no waiting for your luggage by your cabin. Second, the ship still looked beautiful. Third, the Cats production was amazing but long 2 1/2 hours long. Cats is not for everyone it is not your traditional broadway musical but the singing and dancing will blow you away. Fourth, The captain was the most accessible captain I have met. He was on the TV telling about the course changes to avoid the lousy weather and also he hosted a Q&A session in person on the ship; the first for me.

Can someone tell me why other cruise lines have not copied RCCLs royal promenade? Is it the cost of building a ship with it?