pickle11

Who are you responding to?

On 9/20/2022 at 5:29 AM, Markanddonna said:

Does this mean we can board at whatever time we wish?  

You will still wait in line somewhere.  As there is always someone else who is ahead of you.

points are winning

16 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

We have always tipped the chef at Teppanyaki and have seen others do it also.   

I probably would too.  

I may be wrong.  Is Teppanyaki the type where people sit 3/4 of the table and the chef cooks for all?  Flipping spatulas, stirring veggies, slicing meats.  You know the show.  If so, I do remember tipping at the Japanese style restaurant.  Benihanas just comes to mind and it was 20 years ago.  

And then who does get the 20% go to if it is just the chef. Do they have waiters? Or just someone who gets drinks.  Never been to Teppanyaki.

And I have a question too.  Is it customary to tip the chef after the show like I did at Benihanas 20 years ago?  Sorry another tip question.

Never been to Teppanyaki.  But did Benihanas 20 years ago.  Food was good but the show, oh well.  Just not for me and haven't been back.  Diamond on NCL and have never used Teppanyaki.  I cruise solo and hate reservations.  Now for Cagney's I live there because of my perks. I'm a meat eater.  Meat, meat, meat, and a little seafood and salad.  Now if you like all u can eat my go to is Moderno.  But not all ships have Moderno.

It's like a boxing match.  Back and forth.  Go get that extra point.  I'm rooting for the extra point.  

24 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

You sherlock’d the ***** out of this. Well done. 
 

BTW, Tenerife is so great. Windy always. But so great. 

   Welcome to the club.  You are getting a hand at this.😁

No lobster night either.

Took my picture on my laptop when checking in this morning.   Took me three tries.  First time glasses(duh).  Second time to blurry.  Third time priceless.  Just follow the instructions.  Whole check-in process takes about five minutes.

Also have your passport number handy.  Why go back to the bedroom.

What were your experiences on other cruise lines?  NCL is usually good getting people of the ship according to itinerary.  Same getting back on the ship.  Unless you have some pier runners.

2 hours ago, shaun07 said:

If Ncl sold cars 

Car with 4 wheels $10,000. 

**Black Friday sale **

Car with 2 wheels plus 2 wheels free $11000. 

The two free wheels get free air.  Way to go NCL

8 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

That moment when you find your people. I don’t judge others and I certainly don’t care if others judge me. I plan to casually dress for all of my meals, eat early-ish at a restaurant just so I can peruse the buffet a few hours later. When family or friends ask me why I am having two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners … a simple “Because I can.” is the only acceptable response. 

You should be able to dine anywhere on NCL.  By the way is it time to eat again?

1 minute ago, New2cruise2022 said:

I have questions. And yes, many of them have already been answered somewhere in some forum or in the corners of the internet gathered by a Google search. But a) I like opinions sprinkled in with facts, b) I love to ask follow-up questions, c) I really love seeing what soap boxes, pet peeves, and passions individual contributors own and put on display for our entertainment. 
 

And d) when your first cruise is still 70 days away but thinking, obsessing, reading, and writing about is added value to my lawyering, business running, dad-duty filled days. This place is my new guilty pleasure/addiction with all of the advice, opinions, and characters that I find here. (It’s also my motivation to keep working hard and earning money so I can go from first-time cruiser to this-is-my-third-cruise-this-year cruiser. 

It takes time and patience.  I have the time but not the patience.  That is why I book one to two months out.  If I had to wait six months, I would pull my hair out with anxiety.  I only pay attention to CC when I have a pending cruise.  I'm still learning.

But I will be here until your cruise starts.  Thank you for keeping me interested.

7 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Always positive! Take a look at my first post on CC...it was asking all about formal dress on cruise lines. If you hadn't noticed, I'm particularly positive about my desire to wear shorts, t-shirt, and my flippie floppies. This is why I won't cruise on RSSC, Seabourne, or other lines. And, unless it's embarkation day, I positively won't eat at Le Bistro, the Manhattan Room, or Ocean Blue.

 

I told you, I'm a font of positivity! 

I won't, and I positively won't.  Yeah that is positive.

6 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

I tip. Out of gratitude, yes. But it is also a self-aggrandizing practice. I would tip for your opinion and advice. Definitely!

I like you.  Nothing wrong with asking questions.  Keep them coming.  I just might reply with a little sarcasm.  😛

8 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Gotta be a little bit more dressed up to be allowed to enter the formal embrace that is the Manhattan Room...hence, I'll never dine there. 

Another positive comment.  You must be a t-shirt and short diner.

I will dine anywhere if the food is good.  I will just show up in a polo shirt and slacks which is acceptable in the Manhattan room.  Or it is now time for specialty dining.  I can dress casual there.  Oh wait I am already dressed casual.  I can dine anywhere on NCL.

25 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Do you think this happens often? People asking for all of it to be removed? (Regardless of whether service was indeed minimal or just an excuse to outlay less money?)

NO.  But it has been a topic.  Taking away DSC.  So I believe that if it has been discussed, it has been done.  I learned it here on CC.  I am Diamond but I did  it once 10 years ago ( I was gold and I was cheap and lacking funds).   I received very bad service the cruise lines quit handing out tip envelops.  It was then I started tipping the stairwell  and elevator cleaner,  the deck hand who sets us the chairs.  And remember washy-washy.  They always got a $20 out of me.  

Well I am still cheap  but do recognize just even good customer service.  I have 30 years in the customer service business in restaurants and grocery stores.

Like I mentioned, the tip is between you and the crew member and nobody else.

Maybe if I cruise with you one time I can receive a tip for my wonderful thoughts here on CC.  I remember when we used to tip the omelette maker.  And some still do out of habit.

2 hours ago, glentally said:

The one who is complaining about opinions have 25 posts logged in.  That makes you a Gold Status Member.  Congrats!

And that is just on my posts.  Bring it on.

2 hours ago, glentally said:

Can I cancel the pretips BEFORE I get onboard?

All depends on how you book.  Or if you prepay during checkin.   Otherwise the DCS will be a daily charge to your on board account.  And towards the end of your cruise and you think you received minimum service you can go to guest services and have them all removed.

You can tip all you want or you can be cheap and not tip at all.

2 hours ago, New2cruise2022 said:

PS - I am aware that gratuities are already included and I will be paying the DSC as well. I will be your basic inside cabin guy with the FAS drink package. Just curious about daily tipping for stewards, bartenders, servers, etc. 

If gratuities are included then what are the additional DSC costs?  Do what you think is right.  7 drinks a day by 7 different crew members per person.   One to two dollars each time.  Does a bottle of water require a tip?   The dining room.  Will you tip after each meal?  $10 to $20   Fine dining, will you tip special because it is supposed to be.   Over a seven day cruise.  Only you know your budget.

Tips are between you and the person who receives it.  No other cruisers care what you tip.  It is  private.

7 minutes ago, luv2kroooz said:

Pre-covid,  we were always last minute bookers. It worked out well for us. Post-COVID, not so much. We've actually ended up on Carnival because their rates are better.

 

The caveat for playing the waiting game, in my opinion, is that you have to have complete flexibility with cabin category, assignment, location, and truthfully, even itinerary. We only sleep and shower in our cabin. If you definitely need a suite in a certain location, I probably wouldn't play the waiting game. It is a personal decision in the end. Have a good cruise!

I agree.  I too have been able to get better value on Carnival.  Some of their VIFP specials have been ridiculously low.  Even for a solo cruiser.  Celebrity also has been offering better deals than NCL.   NCL has given me the opportunity try re-try other cruise lines.  Acquiring more seadays with them.  My cruise next month on the Bliss the prices have gone up.

1 minute ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Can you please explain this comment?

 

At face value this comment lacks consideration, compassion, and even the slightest hint of intelligence.

 

I must be reading it wrong.

Yes, I will.  First, I hope no one was seriously injured.  Was I supposed to start my reply this way. Second, I hope all involved were able to continue on their cruise.  If someone wasn't able to continue, I know it will be extra burden on the family. Third, when ship happens someone is usually held accountable.   

Now I'm sorry at face value my reply didn't satisfy to you. But like all of us on CC we hope for best for all involved

19 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

I see your point in the post directly above yours. 🙂 

Thank you for your kind thoughts.  I like the smiley face.