emilysmom97

3 minutes ago, emilysmom97 said:

Thank you so much! I'm excited not to have to do the muster drill!  I tip cash at the end of the trip but I can see why you would do that at the moment and time you received great service. I like to tip the bartenders and even some in the buffet. My friend and I went on a cruise and she doesn't like the dining room. That was fine so we went to the buffet every night. One of the crew members helped us in the buffet area by getting us water, extra utensils etc. Every night he would greet us and show us the best table available. He would even go to the bar to get our drinks. In the end, he was the best private waiter we'd ever had. His tip was well deserved. He was absolutely floored when we tipped him. I got teary at his reaction.

 

On 5/8/2022 at 3:00 AM, YVRteacher said:

We tip with cash but not for every meal.  Only when it’s excellent.

The new muster drill process, which most cruise lines adopted, involves the passengers watching a safety video as part of the online check-in process. You will also receive MANY reminder emails before your cruise to watch the short video.  As you board the ship on embarkation day you will be guided/directed/funnelled to your muster station.  Here you check in with a crew member.  They will double check that you know where your muster station is located and confirm you watched the safety video.  Once all guests are on board the cruise director will go through safety procedures on the PA system but you don’t need to assemble for a second time.  Just stop and listen.  It’s a way better process!

Thank you so much! I'm excited not to have to do the muster drill!

I personally love the Jewel class ships because of the Spinnaker Lounge. I've been on the Breakaway and every game show is shown in the Atrium. It's loud, hard to find a seat, and other guests are walking through.

Does anyone else feel this way?

NCL cruise ships are so different. My favorite is the Jewel Class. Fewer people, smaller, great private areas, and the Spinnaker Lounge. The newer ships don't have the Spinnaker Lounge which is a dedicated venue for game shows, comedy, etc. On the newer ships such as The Breakaway, all those shows are done in the atrium. You can't find a seat, it's loud because it's in a public area with people just walking through, and talking loudly. Hard to concentrate. I think Royal has that handled better.

I'm a bit confused about the quote on these boards. I thought if you choose a quote it would show up in your response. NO? I'm not doing something right.

I love both! NCL for the Haven especially and Royal Caribbean for the food. RC has the best non-pay food choices other than the buffet area. The pizza is pretty darn good considering I'm a pizza snob from NY/NJ area. Plenty of sandwiches, ice cream, salads, etc. NCL doesn't compare to RC in that regard. They nickel and dime you that way. The entertainment is basically the same for both lines. All good fun and enjoyable. NCL Haven will make you never want to get a regular stateroom again. My choice would be Royal overall. Hope this helps.

The Jewel is one of my fav ships. We'll be leaving on the Pearl on May 13th to Bermuda.

Question, how do you tip at the restaurants? It used to be way back when that you would sign a receipt and could leave a tip but I haven't seen that in years.

Also, did you attend a muster drill or was the online video at check in enough? 
 

Enjoy your trip and love the updates! 

Has NCL switched to virtual muster drills? If so, what is the procedure on board? I know to check in, I had to watch the safety video. 
 

I always hated after the muster drill ended because of the crowd, elevator wait and/or climbing up many flights of stairs. 
 

I know RCC is doing the virtual drill

Thanks! 

I love ice in everything and use a lot of it. I asked the butler to provide me with at least 3 ice buckets. Instead he kindly brought me an Igloo cooler with plenty of ice. It was perfect! 

NCL has their own ferry in Bermuda?

Thanks for the updates. We're sailing on May 13th. I was hoping no muster drill since online check in made you watch how to wear the life vests. How was capacity? 

19 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Is this from one of the OS on Deck 9 or 10?

I'm pretty sure the window in the 2BR suites are bigger, with a good view... and no security camera.

I had read about those cameras and tubs in the Owner Suites...

😞

 

GC

 

Yes, it was the owners suite. I swear there was a security camera outside. I even made a joke to the captain during the meet and greet. 😄

2 minutes ago, milolii said:

Agree this is from the Star 2BR March 2019. Looks straight down onto the water.  No cameras. We checked.  The balcony is off the living room. So the bathroom window and tub here is where a second balcony would be. And there was a small window on the side that faces the balcony form a side view. . We kept that shade closed. 

Oh, now that is so nice!!!!!!

I'm not big on baths but I did decide to take one on The Gem in the Haven once. I noticed a security camera right outside and got out immediately. LOL. You're too low to see out the window anyway. 

https://us.martinique.org/martinique-french-port-call-caribbean

Our cruise did not stop in Martinique. I wonder if that's why....they are strict!

Personally, I think this is a rumor that has taken off. If you're on a closed-loop cruise (leaving at the same port and returning at the same port) I don't think you need to worry. I'm one of those lazy people who has never gotten my passport. Last month (Sept 2019) I went St. Lucia, St. Maartan, St. Kitts, etc. Just got off the ship using only our key cards. 

1 minute ago, emilysmom97 said:

I got off in Martinique last month and no passport was needed. 

Many cruise lines say to use your passport when debarking at ports but I've never found this to be so. Only on the first and final stops. 

8 hours ago, Homosassa said:

I was on a cruise three years ago that stopped in Martinique. A passport was required at that time for anyone going ashore.

 

I was, however, on a different cruise line that required all passengers to have passports so it was not an issue. 

I wonder if it's only a Martinique requirement? 

By no means are the NCL ships small. 

Years back I went on Celebrity Zenith and thought it was huge. I loved everything about it. Now I know what huge is after being on some massive ships. Still, there is something so wonderful about the smaller ships. My favorites, the Jewel class ships on NCL. Lots of little nooks and crannies to be alone while looking at the sea, getting to see the same people over and over, and becoming friends. These huge ships don't allow for those quiet places. I hope the smaller ships stay around longer. Perfect example of how ships were then and now. 

We thought their music selection was terrible.....(n)

Terrible!:eek:

Just got off the Anthem 5/26 to 5/31. The Royal Swedes were amazing! The dance floor was packed. We saw every performance!!!