deeko

MMEMICHELLE,

That would have been my next point.

I agree. The Haven Sea Bass is excellent.

je suis d'accord.

Merci bien

Deeko

We remember the Dover Sole from Le Bistro on Epic last year. It was excellent

This year we had it again in Le Bistro on Epic in September. To my mind it was frozen not fresh, an altogether different thing.

I wonder has premium all in with so many people now using speciality restaurants made the supply of fresh fish almost impossible.

Deeko

Hi Lizzie,

If people have a drinks package no wonder they don't use the honor bar!!

Did you see many people use the Neptune Lounge?

I just wonder if it is a lot smaller that the Haven Club on the Epic.

Thanks for all earlier replies too.

Deeko

Amazing attention to detail......thanks to all contributers.

Any update on the Oosterdam dry dock?? We are onboard for the TA starting on the 3rd April. Has anyone sailed just following a dry dock on any ship and been inconvenienced with work still being completed.

Raises questions in my mind. There are alternative TAs

Thanks again

Deeko

Hello to all,

Great to have so many questions answered on CC.

We're thinking of HAL for the first time.

My question is......is there a bar in the Neptune Lounge. I read "refreshments" and that sounds a lot like tea/coffee etc.

If there is a bar does the drinks package apply there?

Thanks for your help.

Deeko

Hi Colin.

March 23rd out of Miami ......hurricane season.....I don't think so.

Maybe think twice about the Caribbean!!

Good idea????

Best wishes

Deeko

Thank you all.

CC is a wonderful place to have wise advice.

I am taking careful note of all posts and appreciate them all.

Thank you so much.

Deeko

Hello to all.

First time cruiser.......in a sense.

We've been in the Caribbean and in the Med. I know there can be rough weather in both places but here's where "first timer" is true.

We plan to take a transatlantic from US to Europe.

I would value all comments. Does the size of the ship matter when crossing the Atlantic?

For example would anyone advise HAL Vista class or a much bigger ship such as an NCL like the Epic.

Would love to do the TA but just asking advice from other peoples experience.

Maybe impossible to answer as weather has so much to do with it......and even CC can't organise that!!

Thanks for your thoughts.

Deeko

Mmmmm

Bet your chocolate is "high end" Ruth.

85% ......

Thanks again

Deeko

Hello Ruth,

Brilliant...you are ALWAYS on the ball.

Bet you've never been stumped with any question. Thanks a lot.

Deeko

Hi Lizzie,

Thanks for that. I'll look up the site you suggest.

I'll be interested to know if the Oosterdam has a covered pool. Epic does not.....even in the Haven.

Thanks again L

Deeko

Thanks Happily....and Crew

I knew there were answers out there.

I'm planning a transatlantic from USA to Spain or UK

I know NCL Haven on Epic do this route. HAL on Oosterdam also do the cruise.

Has anyone any advice re which I should favour. Not much in it re price. Would you just go for what you know or are there other considerations??

All advice welcome even from HAL supporters...lots of you out there!!!

Thanks again.

Deeko

Thanks Crew News that is very helpful.

I see you are well versed in HAL. I will enjoy reading your menu lists as well.

It is always interesting travelling on a new Line.

We use a number of the speciality restaurants on other ships. On a transatlantic there are many days and not as many speciality restaurants on the Oosterdam so your list is very interesting.

Thanks again for your reply.

Deeko

Hello to all.

New to HAL I wonder if passengers in Neptune Suites have priority boarding. On NCL Suites and the Haven do. Also on Princess I seem to remember.

No doubt someone knows....you always do......thanks in advance.

Deeko

Hi again. Thanks for all your very reasonable replies.

I do accept that "ports open" is very different to "all facilities available".

There is no prospect of "cancellation without penalty" I would only be able to use my deposit on another NCL sailing, not on another cruise line.

In any event I am booked, since April 2 2017 on a British Airways Club World ticket to arrive in Miami in time the Jade sailing.

I do accept that NCL may have been showing "foresight" in amending the itinerary so far out. However there seems to be little recompense for clients who find a radically altered cruise less than enticing.

Bonaire for example is not a place to dream of visiting!

I know the Jade well having cruised both in the Med and also the Caribbean on her. If I go I will enjoy the experience of course.

I'm not really a complainer I just feel a little boxed in by NCL policy. I did ask for some compensation, perhaps a Dinner in Cagneys? I f we give you that we'll have hundreds wanting it once you go on CC and tell what you got!!!

Nice.

I'm in a Suite and just back off the Haven in Epic and have 8 Cruise Next vouchers!!!

Mmm makes one think!!

Thanks again for all your wise thoughts.

Deeko

The terrible hurricanes were devastating. We all have heartfelt sympathy for the many victims. Loss of life, loss of property and loss of income bring a heavy toll on people.

HOWEVER. NCL were very quick to change the itinerary of many long booked cruises. More interesting......itineraries were altered for cruises not scheduled until March 2018.

For example the Jade 23rd March 2018 cruise has been so changed as to be unrecognisable.

I chose this cruise many months ago because of the itinerary. I did not chose to go to Grand Cayman or Bonaire, or Aruba. I have been before.

I now read that a number of ports on the original itinerary are "open" for business.

Will NCL revert to those islands now "open"? they certainly deserve the business, and faithful clients deserve to go where they wer promised now that that seems to be possible.

NCL declared "force majeure" and so avoided the cancellation possible if "significant change" is necessary to a cruise itinerary.

I wonder if anyone knows of cruises, NCL or others, which have been altered and then as ports become "open" reverted to the original which no doubt many people deliberately chose when booking.

I recognise so many of the islands have been through a very bad time, however, if they are "open" lets go and visit them again.

What do others feel.

best wishes to all cruisers and islanders.

Deeko

Hello to all. A simple question I hope.

NCL allow a cancellation because of a "significant change" of itinerary. That means among other things a change of 2 ports.

Are they allowing cancellations at this time because of "significant change".

Many of us have at least 2 port changes.

Thanks for all your thoughts.

Deeko

Thanks GaryCarla,

I thought as much. Hard to justify Have prices in that case.

Thanks again

Deeko

Wow, Keith you can answer faster than I can type!!

Thanks for that. I thought as much. We enjoy the range of facilities on the Epic. We also love the Jade. I think the Suite with Butler and Concierge and Speciality Dining is the way to go. On a 10 day we have 4 in the package and a few more will do the trick.

At least on Jade it's possible to find a quiet spot for a drink!! Not possible I think on Epic!!

Again many thanks.

Deeko

Keith as ever you have a mine of really helpful information......and all put so succinctly. I know you don't want this thread to expand but I think my question relates to dining not the quality of any one restaurant.

on the Epic the Haven Club Restaurant is available for all meals.

On the Jade where is Dinner taken as there is no dedicated restaurant as there is on the Epic. I know breakfast and lunch are taken in Cagney's for Haven guests......but Dinner???

Thanks again for all your insights.

Deeko

Hi San

Just read your thoughts on the Haven in the Jade and am very interested. Was on the Jade a couple of years ago. We has a Penthouse Suite at the rear. Sure we had butler and concierge service and we thought it was great.

BUT it's not the Haven. The Haven access to the Courtyard is not available to "non Haven Suites".

We had breakfast and lunch in Cagney's and dinner elsewhere. We were never unhappy with Jade food.

I have since been in the Haven twice on the Epic. A pleasure from start to finish. The Haven Restaurant is in my opinion the best on the Epic and I have eaten in Le Bistro and Cagney's.

Here's where I need help.........If I book a Haven Suite on the Jade.......where do I eat Dinner??? So far as I know there is no dedicated restaurant for the Haven on the Jade such as there is on Epic.

Can anyone help???? Hey I've enjoyed holidays in a tent and cruises in standard cabins. If I can I prefer hotels and the Haven. Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the other.

Hope you all enjoy wherever you choose.

Thanks to all.

Deeko

Thanks Bruce and Innlady.

Always strikes fear in case the trans atlantic is used to re do half the ship!!

We all read about workmen making life less amenable than it should be as they try to finish the jobs they had to do in dry dock.

Thanks again.........but would you worry???

Deeko

Hi all,

Does anyone know where Oosterdam is between 20th March 2018 and April 3rd 2018.

I was interested in joining her before our transatlantic on the 3 April but I can't find her!!

All info gratefully received...........................................

Thanks Deeko

Hi All

I just love this thread........an education!!

Thought I had tried Bourbon a time or two. Now I'm not so sure. Loved reading all the posts about what is and what is not.

"THOSE GOOD OLD BOYS DRINKING WHISKEY AND RYE" what were they really drinking I wonder!!

We have our own struggles. Bushmills versus Jameson. Laphroig versus Glenfiddich,

Whiskey versus Whisky.

I'd love to sit down with y'all and savour the nose before the flavour.

Thanks to all for such a great thread.

Off in a few weeks on the Epic and then March Jade in Caribbean and April Transatlantic with HAL

I'll drink to you all.....thanks for the fun.

Deeko

Jen........read the web.......signed in to rehab!!......but it was worth it.....fabulous stuff.

Enjoy the cruise and......give brain a rest!!

Deeko