Rare eroller Posted November 11, 2015 #6201 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I was the person who first mentioned in my review that Margaritaville would no long be free beginning with the Nov 14th cruise. Was told this by two different crew members, one on the senior level. I was also told by same people that the casino -- or at least a good part of it -- will revert to smoking also beginning on the 14th. I'll be on that cruise and will report back. Tracy Tracy if I were a betting man I would put my $$ on you. I also think Margaritaville will become a pay venue, and judging by my receipts from there it's already set up to start charging. I would say a la carte instead of a flat cover charge since my receipt showed each individual item. Of course that can always be changed with some simple programming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KeithJenner Posted November 11, 2015 #6202 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I had a conversation with one of the dealers about them running out of beer, wine, liquor and limes, etc. One of his best friends is a bartender on Escape and apparently once they arrived in the US every scrap of food, and in some cases beer and wine had to be destroyed along with straws and other items that need to meet with strict US guidelines. Sounds like they underprovisioned on purpose to have less waste. My friend Judy that I travel with is a food scientist with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and said that it would all have to be incinerated due to the possibility of contamination. Considering you can't bring a lemon into Florida without breaking the law, it all is starting to make sense. The only problem with that theory is that NCL do a number of transatlantics each year and I've never heard of similar shortages on those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahtheRed Posted November 11, 2015 #6203 Share Posted November 11, 2015 The only problem with that theory is that NCL do a number of transatlantics each year and I've never heard of similar shortages on those. It could have also just been the difficult of getting certain beers in large enough quantities over there. Wasn't it primarily american brews that were running out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LrgPizza Posted November 11, 2015 #6204 Share Posted November 11, 2015 (edited) It could have also just been the difficult of getting certain beers in large enough quantities over there. Wasn't it primarily american brews that were running out? All the Florida beers were out. I was told by a bartender something-er-other about import/export, Florida charges, etc. They purposely limited the amount of those brews they sent, since it was going to be ridiculously expensive considering they were about to head to Florida anyway where they could avoid all the costs. (Now whether or not this is fact, who knows. Everyone seems to have heard something different. All I know is that after several brews, it sounded perfectly logical. :D ) Edited November 11, 2015 by LrgPizza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteCruiser Posted November 11, 2015 #6205 Share Posted November 11, 2015 The only problem with that theory is that NCL do a number of transatlantics each year and I've never heard of similar shortages on those. Apparently the same thing happens on the way back, but the booze isn't such a factor as the food. The new venues they likely underestimated, but apparently on the Breakaway TA over they ran out of lots of things too. they didn't stock any Sauvignon Blanc on the way over, as we tried to order it at lunch on boarding and they had none. It certainly doesn't answer all of the shortfalls, but perhaps some of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahtheRed Posted November 11, 2015 #6206 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I makes sense, really. They basically just needed enough supplies to make it from the UK to florida without a passenger mutiny. I can't imagine how annoying it must be to try and sell american craft beer on a cruise ship, too. If you've got Dave's brewery in downtown Miami and you want it on your cruise ship, you have to first of course strike the marketing deal with Dave's Brewery....then get your account and logistics set up with their distributor (who also wants money)....and customs/ATF/whatever likely wants to be involved since this is international. I did some promotional work for a bourbon distiller and got to chatting about this topic (in reference to them selling it on cruise ships).....yeah, the hoops that everyone has to jump through to appease the tax man is crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KeithJenner Posted November 11, 2015 #6207 Share Posted November 11, 2015 (edited) It could have also just been the difficult of getting certain beers in large enough quantities over there. Wasn't it primarily american brews that were running out? I can understand the issues with some of the beers, but they were out of a lot of wines as well (ones that NCL sell on other ships in Europe). Edited November 11, 2015 by KeithJenner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonbeam Posted November 11, 2015 #6208 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Have to wonder if a ton of people being on the UBP played havoc with their projections as well. Add in it being a new ship with new venues, etc and they basically were guessing how much they need, and with transport costs and limited storage space probably guessed conservatively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahtheRed Posted November 11, 2015 #6209 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I can understand the issues with some of the beers, but they were out of a lot of wines as well (ones that NCL sell on other ships in Europe). Well, either way, here's hoping they get their act together. If FDR wants to make a big deal out of being a higher brow experience than NCL of years past, he needs to be sure those supply manifests are nice and fat. The biggest ship in the fleet shouldn't have shortages :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gddeluca Posted November 11, 2015 #6210 Share Posted November 11, 2015 While I understand the possible need for fresh food to be eliminated, there was no excuse for the liquor/wine shortages. I drink Stingers, and I'd guess half the bars didn't have the needed liquors. Also, the Italian Prosecco was spotty in availability and non-existent the last three days. By the last two days, you couldn't get a glass of ANY champagne, from ANY country. By the last day you couldn't even get a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. What's the point of an UBP if you can't get the drink you want? No way I can believe food regulations explain the wine shortage, that's simply shoddy planning on NCL's part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbmorri Posted November 11, 2015 #6211 Share Posted November 11, 2015 OK everyone we are on the ship on the 14 November 2015. I promise the minute I get back, I will post everything that is going on. I know that it drives everyone a little crazy, cause it does me. All of you on the TA gave us so much info, I just want to pass on what I find out to those who are sailing after me. Is there anything else that someone would like to know? The last time I will most likely be on is Fri AM or early PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahtheRed Posted November 11, 2015 #6212 Share Posted November 11, 2015 OK everyone we are on the ship on the 14 November 2015. I promise the minute I get back, I will post everything that is going on. I know that it drives everyone a little crazy, cause it does me. All of you on the TA gave us so much info, I just want to pass on what I find out to those who are sailing after me. Is there anything else that someone would like to know? The last time I will most likely be on is Fri AM or early PM. Status of whether Margaritaville is complimentary or cover charge. Status of whether District is included or not included in UBP Status of smoking onboard, particularly in reference to the casino area. Status of the Thermal Spa (apparently parts of it are still being worked on?) How well stocked are the bars? Are there unforseen shortages of things you shouldn't run out of? Wait times for restaurants, both to be seated and to get your meal. Pictures of the tap/bottle list at District Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TifffanyD Posted November 11, 2015 #6213 Share Posted November 11, 2015 OK everyone we are on the ship on the 14 November 2015. I promise the minute I get back, I will post everything that is going on. I know that it drives everyone a little crazy, cause it does me. All of you on the TA gave us so much info, I just want to pass on what I find out to those who are sailing after me. Is there anything else that someone would like to know? The last time I will most likely be on is Fri AM or early PM. I'd like to know the times & dates for Howl at the Moon. Also, which nights have parties and/or themes. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnesotamamafish Posted November 11, 2015 #6214 Share Posted November 11, 2015 (edited) Escape is leaving Miami now... http://www.portmiamiwebcam.com http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/see-miami Edited November 11, 2015 by minnesotamamafish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubsfan2008 Posted November 11, 2015 #6215 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Would love to know if there are gluten free options at the buffet for a quick lunch/dinner. I don't think I want to sit down and eat every night in the mdr. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rstackjd Posted November 11, 2015 #6216 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Escape is leaving Miami now... http://www.portmiamiwebcam.com http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/see-miami Thanks! how cool was that!!!! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachRum Posted November 11, 2015 #6217 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Escape is leaving Miami now... http://www.portmiamiwebcam.com http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/see-miami Next out of port will be the Norwegian Pearl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUontheC Posted November 11, 2015 #6218 Share Posted November 11, 2015 As far as I'm aware, Margaritaville has only been scheduled to be open for breakfast and lunch. That is how it was last week (except for the days they didn't do breakfast because of the weather -I assume). The info for the a la carte places was how it worked for us. You don't have to wait to see Food Republic prices: You are awesome with the Food Republic Menu...thank you thank you!!!!! Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oceanwench Posted November 11, 2015 #6219 Share Posted November 11, 2015 NCL President said there may be a charge for Margaritaville in the future - because of the crowds. It was asked during a Q&A yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rstackjd Posted November 11, 2015 #6220 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Next out of port will be the Norwegian Pearl. When does she leave? We are on the Pearl in May on the Pacific Coast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnesotamamafish Posted November 11, 2015 #6221 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Thanks! how cool was that!!!! :cool: Totally agree!!! Hoping to see a video posted from the viewpoint of someone ON the ship! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachRum Posted November 11, 2015 #6222 Share Posted November 11, 2015 When does she leave? We are on the Pearl in May on the Pacific Coast She's scheduled to set sail at 4:00pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachRum Posted November 11, 2015 #6223 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Does anyone know if the Escape has or will have a live bridge cam? I can't find it on any of the traditional sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob&tam Posted November 11, 2015 #6224 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Totally agree!!! Hoping to see a video posted from the viewpoint of someone ON the ship! :D There were a couple of scopes from the sail away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sfdtiller Posted November 11, 2015 #6225 Share Posted November 11, 2015 OK everyone we are on the ship on the 14 November 2015. I promise the minute I get back, I will post everything that is going on. I know that it drives everyone a little crazy, cause it does me. All of you on the TA gave us so much info, I just want to pass on what I find out to those who are sailing after me. Is there anything else that someone would like to know? The last time I will most likely be on is Fri AM or early PM. Along with the other list, if you do a cabin crawl and can get pics of as many aft cabins as possible it would be great. We have on on 12 right now but really want to have the biggest possible along with everyone else!! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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