umaine89

@jamin jul I was passing through the buffet tonight on my way to Italian and got a picture of the salad bar.

I have T-Mobile so I can’t speak to Verizon. That said, if I am on WiFi signal and have airplane mode on so I am not picking up cell towers, I have made calls in Europe and Caribbean and it’s just like I am at my house on WiFi. No extra charges. My phone says airplane mode and T-Mobile WiFi.

I won’t go back to Deal or No Deal. I like the game show but the audience participation method was not that fun. I think it made money for NCL though. My estimate is they sold 100 cards at average value $25/ea. So $2500 revenue and gave away maybe $500 in prizes. I’d rather play bingo where someone will win the prize.

One more picture. This was taken at 1045a when I showed up. There was no way I was getting the first tender out at 0700. You see a sea of empty chairs. And my chair under the palm tree.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, look who’s next door. Two RCL big boats at Coco Cay. They did not have the empty island that I did.

Day 5 Private island, Great Stirrup Cay! My favorite part of any cruise. Unfortunately you have to tender in and out. I hear a pier is coming. But I only waited about 15 minutes each time after boarding to get underway. My boat was almost full both ways. This was during loading. I did not get a map so I have no map to share. That said, I walked all around the island. I headed to the fake lighthouse which is the zip line tower and kept going. Eventually you hit a gate for Silver Cove, Private retreat. But at the last beach before that, there’s a drink hut, food hut/truck thing and bathrooms. And since we were the only ship there, I shared the section with maybe 10 people. I figure we had 2000 off our boat on an island that could hold 6000 (my guess). It felt like COVID times all over again. It was AMAZING. I found a palm tree and 100 empty chairs and set up my spot. Lunch came from the food hut/truck thing and was also amazing. Ceviche and mahi mahi sandwich. With, of course, the Bahamian beer. There’s plenty to do for free, I saw people playing beach volleyball and ping pong and soccer pool. and even look at wildlife. Unfortunately, we had to leave an hour early due to congestion tomorrow at Cape Canaveral, but it was truly a Perfect Day at Coco, whoops I mean, Great Stirrup Cay.

Last one

I am operating with no dinner reservations so I appreciate the board telling me how busy things are. Dinner at Sushi 11/10. Couldn’t have been better. With the meal package you get to order any 4 things on the menu. I was stuffed. Yes that was all free for one speciality dining credit. For $210, I got upgraded internet, upgraded free drinks package and 2 more speciality dinners (3 total). I have had multiple calls and the reception is fine (I have t mobile WiFi calling). I have been able to drink whatever I want and they give me two at a time. And the two speciality dinners so far have been awesome. That is the best $210 I have ever spent.

I read, worked out and played Deal or no Deal this afternoon. Then had a couple of pina coladas (with Gosling dark rum) in the hot tub when things died down on the pool deck around 4. Someone came up and asked me what I was drinking. I’m just saying, it’s a much better looking drink with dark rum.

Deck 11, the bridge overlook is cool. Back on this Hawaii thing. I am going to go into MBA mode for a minute, so feel free to skip over this post. I am amazed how fast NCL stopped sailing in Hawaii. It must have been a horrendous business decision to start with. The Pride of Hawaii was registered in USA and they made a big deal of it coming to Hawaii, the Hawaiian House of Reps passed a resolution in May 2006 welcoming it and celebrating its arrrival. Its maiden voyage was 6/3/2006. February 10, 2008, they lower the US flag. February 29, 2008 it is in Miami. It sailed in Hawaii for 20 months and then was renamed and pulled to Miami. Kudos to NCL for the fast pivot and realizing that the business model obviously didn’t work but wow what a blunder in original strategic planning. I got all of these pictures from the wall in the bridge overlook which got me thinking.

@LatinaInTexas I heard some people talking in the casino and they said their kids were bored. I agree, I wouldn’t bring kids. This is classic cruising. Playing bingo, sitting by pool, listening to piano guy, singing karaoke, going to a show, gambling in casino, eating good food (specialty restaurants), walking on deck, drinking pina coladas, a couple of stops on the itinerary. While I have done the Rock climbing wall and zip line and water slides and surf riding and ice skating and other stuff I’m forgetting, I don’t need it on a cruise.

@jamin jul Music is good but no calypso that I’ve heard. Piano bar guy is good. Guy playing sax is good. A couple of different bands were good at pool and in Spinnakers. Many times I eat at the salad bar. This has not been a salad bar trip so I have no info. I do get fruit in the morning. Bananas, apples, and sliced watermelon, cantaloupe, melon and pineapple. Really breakfast bar looks same as RCL to me.

@GALSews That’s a Miami Vice. I didn’t ask what’s in it. It’s colorful and good.

Breakfast this morning, back at Great Outdoors which is behind Great Cafe. I love the two drinks at a time. I didn’t even ask for 2. RCL makes pina coladas with dark rum. In NCL, it is always light rum unless I ask for Goslings. It should be dark rum, IMHO, but this is definitely a first world problem. Haha. I have never been to the buffet when I didn't see multiple tables open by the window. This ship does not feel crowded at all. That said, it’s windy on the deck and they closed the port side top deck. So you’re not finding a lounger right now.

By request.

Dinner tonight. Back at Alizar. It was quiet at 930p when I showed up for late dinner after a nice nap. Cheddar and potato soup. Excellent 10/10 Also had lettuce wraps. The lettuce was a little soggy/limp but chicken was good. 9/10 if lettuce was crisp. 6/10 as served. Finished with bang bang chicken and shrimp. Shrimp and rice were good. I didn’t finish all of the chicken and skipped dessert because nothing was enticing.

So the Jade was built for Hawaii and was originally named Pride of Hawaii. You can see the Hawaii influence in the staterooms doors and the artwork throughout the ship.

@dmwnc1959 Thanks for breakfast recommendation. Had breakfast at O’Sheehan’s View Very good and good service.

So it turns out we were parked next to Harmony of the Seas today. It’s hard to explain but I am a Royal Caribbean fanboy and am 3 nights away from Diamond. Look at my signature, I have been on a bunch of RCL ships. So I felt some nostalgia for RCL. It’s an Oasis class, and while I haven’t been on Harmony, I’ve been on Oasis of the Seas. That said I am really enjoying NCL and this ship.

@dmwnc1959 by request. I found this posted by the pool.

My daughter is making fun of me that I can’t flip an image Anyway, here is the pic where I took the conference call.

I am not getting off the ship today. I’ve been to Cozumel a bunch of times and all I can eat and drink are free on the ship. best part of NCL, you can order more than one drink at once.

Ok the rest of day 2. Walked 3 miles on jogging track. Very nice but kind of short. Obligatory selfie. Found a spot on aft of boat that was empty. You would think they could find a way to monetize this real estate. Enjoyed a wine while conducting a business call in Garden Cafe. There’s a picture but it’s upside down and I don’t feel like flipping it. Imagine a wine glass and a Caribbean Sea view through a window. Then found a nice walking path on deck 6 (I think. Right outside guest services). It goes all the way around the ship and is in the shade. Walked another mile. Excellent walk. Figured out that Starbucks was free with the upgraded drinks plan (unlike RCL) and listened to the piano guy. I have no idea if this video will work. View from deck 6 walking path. Spent afternoon on top deck listening to some good music. Dinner at La Cusina. Italian. 815 was not busy. Excellent food. I will be back this week. I can’t say enough good things about the food and the service. I make a mean cheesecake and this was to die for.

Yes and yes. It took me a while when I first saw the ashtray to figure out what it was.